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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
A 
 
 BRIEF HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST 
 OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 
 
 From the Birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith 
 to the Present Time. 
 
 By EDWARD-fl. ANDERSON > IT1 
 
 Author of the "Life of Brigham Young," "Spiritual Growth," "The Apostles of Jesus 
 Christ," "Conduct, Courage and Success," etc. 
 
 "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a 
 kingdom which shall never be destroyed." Daniel 2:44. 
 
 Published by the Missions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 
 
 in the United States 
 
 CENTRAL STATES MISSION 302 S. Pleasant St., Independence, Mo. 
 WESTERN STATES MISSION 538 East 7th Ave., Denver, Colo. 
 SOUTHERN STATES MISSION 350 Woodward Ave., Atlanta, Ga. 
 EASTERN STATES MISSION 273 Gates Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 NORTHERN STATES MISSION 2555 N. Sawyer Ave., Chicago, 111. 
 NORTHWESTERN STATES MISSION 810 E. Madison St., Portland, Ore. 
 CALIFORNIA MISSION 153 W. Adams St., Los Angeles, Calif. 
 MEXICAN MISSION 3531 Fort Blvd., El Paso, Texas, U. S. A. 
 CANADIAN MISSION 36 Ferndale Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 
 HAWAIIAN MISSION P. O. Box 410, Honolulu, T. H. 
 BUREAU OF INFORMATION Temple Block, Salt Lake City, Utah. 
 
 Press of Zion's Printing and Publishing Co., Independence, Jackson Co., Mo. 
 
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 
 
 This little volume, containing a brief outline of the history of the 
 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was first printed in Sep- 
 tember, 1893, being written, as was its companion volume, "The Life 
 of Brigham Young," at the request of the late Apostle Abraham H. 
 Cannon, to whom, as publisher and patron, local literature must ever 
 remain largely indebted. 
 
 To aid the reader in obtaining a clear understanding of the prin- 
 ciples of the Gospel, in connection with the history of the people who 
 were instrumental in establishing it, references were freely made to the 
 Doctrine and Covenants containing the revelations of the Prophet 
 Joseph Smith for the building up of the Kingdom of God in the last 
 days. 
 
 In conjunction with his own experience, the author, disclaiming 
 originality save in the weaving, gathered his facts, in sketching these 
 main outlines of the faith, work, travels and persecutions of the Saints, 
 from a large number of reliable authorities on the subject. Accuracy 
 was aimed at, as well as completeness as far as the limited space would 
 allow. 
 
 Two leading aims were kept in view in its compilation, viz.: first, 
 to create an interest in the hearts of the youth of the Church in the mar- 
 velous faith, work, toils and sacrifices of the -founders of this great, 
 latter-day religious fabric; secondly, to provide a handy medium from 
 which that large class of visitors and other persons, who have neither 
 time nor inclination to read the more ponderous books on the subject, 
 might obtain, from an authentic source, desired information on "Mor- 
 monism." 
 
 That the design has proved successful is shown by the favor with 
 which the work has been received by the public, to whom this second and 
 revised edition, with six added chapters covering the past decade, is 
 now respectfully presented. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 Salt Lake City, January, 1902. 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 1920 EDITION. 
 
 Many reprints have been made of the 1902 edition of this little 
 book. This, the third edition, has been subject to such revisions as 
 recent events demanded. 
 
 A short and very inadequate chapter has been added, covering the 
 wonderful period of growth and development during the seventeen- 
 year administration of President Joseph F. Smith; whereas, the larger 
 treatment which the subject should receive, would merit a volume in 
 itself, to say nothing of the auspicious beginning of the incumbency of 
 President Heber J. Grant. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 Salt Lake City, December, 1920. 
 
 Copyrighted by Joseph F. Smith. 
 
BANCROFT 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 I. From the Prophet's Birth to the Organization of the Church. 
 
 1805-1830. 
 Chapter Page 
 
 1. "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder" 5 
 
 2. Message from on High . 9 
 
 3. The Sacred Hill Cumorah and its Treasures 14 
 
 4. Translating the Record 17 
 
 5. Important Revelations 20 
 
 II. From the Organization to the Flight from Kirtland. 
 1830-1838. 
 
 1. Organization of the Church 24 
 
 2. Manifestations and Persecutions 25 
 
 3. Mission to the Lamanites 30 
 
 4. Removal of the Church to Ohio 35 
 
 5. The Law of Consecration 36 
 
 6. Locating the Land of Zion 38 
 
 7. Progress in Kirtland and in the East 41 
 
 8. Expulsion from Jackson County 44 
 
 9. High Council Organized 47 
 
 10. Zion's Camp 49 
 
 11. Apostles and Seventies Chosen... 51 
 
 12. Departure from Clay County Kirtland Failures and Apos- 
 
 tasy English Mission 54 
 
 III. From the Missouri Exodus to the Martyrdom. 
 1838-1844. 
 
 1. Banishment from Missouri Founding of Nauvoo 58 
 
 2. Lowering Clouds 71 
 
 3. The Martyrdom 74 
 
 IV. The Church Under Brigham Young. 
 1844-1877. 
 
 1. Agreement to Leave Nauvoo 78 
 
 2. Expelled from Illinois 81 
 
Chapter Page 
 
 3. Two Military Pictures ,. 84 
 
 4. The Pioneers and First Companies 90 
 
 5. Migration of the Main Body West 93 
 
 6. Colonization >. 97 
 
 7. Utah Territory Organized Events following 100 
 
 8. Events from 1854-1857 106 
 
 9. The Utah Expedition 109 
 
 10. A Period of Recuperation 114 
 
 11. Official Crusade Death of President Young 118 
 
 V. From the Death of President Young, in 1877, to 1901. 
 
 1. John Taylor Chosen Leader.. 123 
 
 2. The Edmunds-Tucker Agitation Death of President Taylor 
 
 in Exile 125 
 
 3. Changed Conditions Wilf or d Woodruff President 127 
 
 4. The Temples of the Saints ...129 
 
 5. Utah Admitted to the Union of States 133 
 
 6. The Pioneer Jubilee 136 
 
 7. Utah in the War with Spain 139 
 
 8. Death of President Wilford Woodruff '. 142 
 
 9. President Lorenzo Snow's Administration 145 
 
 VI. Progress and Growth Under President Joseph F. Smith. 
 
 1. Joseph F. Smith Chosen President.... : ...152 
 
 2. The Bureau of Information 154 
 
 3. Church Building T 156 
 
 4. Growth of the Church 158 
 
 5. Political Affairs.. 162 
 
 6. The Great War 166 
 
 7. Changes in the General Authorities : 172 
 
 8. The Passing of President Smith _ 176 
 
 9. Heber Jeddy Grant Chosen President , 179 
 
 10. Conclusion.... ....181 
 
A Brief History of the Church 
 
 FROM THE PROPHET'S BIRTH TO ITS 
 ORGANIZATION, 1805-1830. 
 
 1. "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder." 
 
 With the age of freedom in religion, that followed the flight 
 of Luther from the debauched court of Pope Leo X, came also 
 the age of skepticism not alone skepticism, but hypocrisy. 
 While the revolution in theology, inaugurated by the reformers, 
 shattered the thought-monoply which had been concentrated 
 in the pope, it likewise created such diversities of opinion, and so 
 many leaders in religion, that the world of mankind were literal- 
 ly ' 'children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every 
 wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, 
 whereby they lie in wait to deceive." 
 
 There was no universally acknowledged head of the Chris- 
 tian Church. It is true that, since the death or martyrdom of 
 the apostles of Christ, God had acknowledged no authority on 
 the earth. All had apostatized from the true gospel, and the 
 apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, which 
 Christ had acknowledged or commissioned, were no more to 
 be found, the Christian bishops had departed from the simple 
 ordinances of the Christian religion, and instead had introduced 
 Jewish and Pagan observances, ceremonies and mysteries, 
 for the purpose of gaining friends. For centuries, all Chris- 
 tians often through compulsion, however had acknowledged 
 the pope as the vicegerent of God, and had recognized his 
 authority. But the sweep of the reformation broke this power 
 over men. Following Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Cranmer, 
 
6 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 arose a hundred leaders in religion, who, disregarding the in- 
 junction, "And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but 
 he that is called of God, as was Aaron," set themselves up as 
 officers in the Church of Christ. The reformation broke the 
 power of popedom, and gave to men the blessed right to private 
 judgment; but, going one step further, the Protestants, like the 
 Catholics, from whom they had emancipated themselves, 
 usurped authority, for nowhere is there a record nor even a pro- 
 fession made, that authority was conferred by revelation from 
 God or the ministration of angels, the only known methods 
 by which it could be done, upon anyone to act in His name.* 
 
 This disregard of authority brought with it a train of many 
 evils, chief among which were hypocrisy, and a service of form 
 instead of a worship from the heart. So continued the condi- 
 tion of the people almost three hundred years, from the refor- 
 mation to the beginning of the nineteenth century. 
 
 The Prophet Isaiah foresaw this period and declared of the 
 people of the earth at this time: "Wherefore the Lord said, 
 Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and 
 with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far 
 from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of 
 men: therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work 
 among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; for 
 the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understand- 
 ing of their prudent men shall be hid."** 
 
 This "marvelous work and a wonder" which the Lord was 
 to accomplish, was the restoration of his authority unto men, 
 and the establishment and organization of his authorized 
 Church upon the earth, as predicted anciently by the Prophet 
 Daniel, and by John the Revelator: 
 
 "As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind 
 upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that 
 revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to 
 
 pass And in the days of these kings shall the God of 
 
 heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: 
 
 *It is said that Roger Williams refused to continue as pastor over the largest Baptist 
 church in this country, because there was "no regularly constituted church on earth, nor 
 any person authorized to administer any church ordinance; nor can there be, until new 
 apostles are sent by the Great Head of the Church, for whose coming I am seeking." 
 See "Picturesque America," page 502. 
 **Isaiah 29:13, 14. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 7 
 
 and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall 
 break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall 
 stand forever.*'* 
 
 "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having 
 the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the 
 earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 
 saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for 
 the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made 
 heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."** 
 
 The words of John the Revelator explain how the gospel 
 was to be restored. It was to be done in the same way that 
 God adopted in ancient times, as recorded in the holy scrip- 
 ture, by the visitation of angels and by revelation. Save 
 through these channels, how could Jehovah make known his 
 will to men? As in the days of the apostles, so in modern times 
 the household of God was to be "built upon the foundation 
 of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief 
 corner stone." Its officers were to be in possession of the gifts 
 and of "the spirit of wisdom and revelation." 
 
 In the midst of all the uncertainty and chaos of opinion, 
 God was to reveal himself, and out of conflict establish 
 peace, out of disorder, union and oneness of purpose, so that, 
 as formerly, there might be "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 
 one God and Father of all," etc. 
 
 The beginning of this "marvelous work" was inaugurated 
 in the dawn of the nineteenth century, when God revealed 
 himself personally and by the visitation of angels, to the Prophet 
 Joseph Smith, and chose him to be the leader of the dispensa- 
 tion of the fulness of times, and to be the instrument to in- 
 troduce the gospel of Christ by authority to establish and 
 organize the true Church of God in the latter days. 
 
 Through that prophet was brought forth the wonderful 
 record called the Book of Mormon a book which contains 
 a fulness of the gospel as taught by our beloved Savior. More 
 than forty editions of this work have been printed many 
 thousands of volumes and scattered broadcast to the English 
 speaking world, while its precious truths have been read by 
 
 *Daniel 2:29, 44. 
 **Revelation' 14:6, 7. 
 
8 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 thousands in each of the seventeen foreign languages into which 
 the book has been translated. 
 
 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was or- 
 ganized on the 6th day of April, 1830, in the town of Fayette, 
 Seneca county, New York. It is built upon the rock of revela- 
 tion, and through this means, its officers have received au- 
 thority from God to act in their callings and enjoy the gifts and 
 powers of the gospel, as was the case with the ancient apostles. 
 Its mission is one of peace; its aims and objects the preparation 
 of the people for the second coming of Christ, the inauguration 
 of the Millennium and the establishment of the- universal 
 brotherhood of man. 
 
 "But we do not believe this claim; it is visionary, impos- 
 sible!" say some of the readers. "It cannot be possible that 
 this is the 'marvelous work' spoken of and foreseen by the 
 ancient seer." 
 
 In reply, it must be said that such is the claim of the Lat- 
 ter-day Saints, or the "Mormons," as they are erroneously 
 called. If they are justly entitled to it, their history for the 
 past one hundred years should partially demonstrate the fact. 
 Their doctrines speak for themselves. 
 
 Who shall deny that the Saints are entitled to the claim 
 they make when a review is taken of the record of the accomp- 
 lishments of this strange people? 
 
 From forty members, in 1830, the following of the Church 
 today has grown to hundreds of thousands. In the beginning 
 it had the Prophet Joseph alone to declare its doctrines, now 
 it has missionaries in all liberal nations of the earth. It has 
 prospered through the fire of severest persecution. Driven, 
 peeled and scattered, their Prophet and Patriarch basely mur- 
 dered for their testimonies, its members have rallied with each 
 onslaught, and pressed on with the work with greater force 
 and power than before. It counts its martyrs by the score, its 
 heroes and heroines by the thousands. Driven from their 
 homes in Illinois, they were marvelously sustained by God 
 in their wonderful exodus to the Rocky Mountains. In this 
 wilderness of the West, the rich blessings of the Lord have fol- 
 lowed them in the establishment of one of the most prosperous, 
 thrifty and happy commonwealths of our nation. To it have 
 been gathered tens of thousands of the poor from the nations 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 9 
 
 of the earth to build up and beautify the latter-day Zion, 
 virtually fulfilling the prediction: "And many people shall go 
 and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the 
 Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us 
 of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall 
 go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."* 
 And this one: "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be 
 glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the 
 rose."** 
 
 Temples, schools, houses of worship, cities and villages 
 have sprung up in the thirsty wilderness, and the result of the 
 faith, the thrift and the labor of this peculiar people may be 
 seen in their beautiful homes, gardens, fields, herds and posses- 
 sions, in the whole region of the great West ; while the religious 
 truths promulgated by them, without money or pay, are taking 
 root, yea bearing fruit, not alone in their own midst but even 
 among the heathen and in every Christian land. Having dis- 
 carded dead forms, the members of this Church worship from 
 the heart and point to a living faith, fully sustained by noble 
 works. Their Church organization is unsurpassed, their govern- 
 ment unequaled in modern annals. They build temples for 
 the worship of God and for the performance of ordinances for 
 the living and the dead, and the path of their persecutions, as 
 well as the land which they now peacefully inhabit, is dotted 
 by these holy structures. Everything about them points to 
 the peculiar people that were to be established in the latter 
 days their whole career is a "marvelous work and a wonder." 
 
 2. A Message from on High. 
 
 Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, and the founder of 
 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born in 
 Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, on the 23rd day of Decem- 
 ber, 1805. When the lad was ten years of age, his parents, 
 Joseph Smith, Sen., and Lucy, his wife, removed from Vermont 
 to Palmyra, Ontario, now Wayne county, New York. Four 
 years later the family moved into Manchester in the same coun- 
 
 *Isaiah 2:3. 
 **Isaiab 35:1. 
 
10 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 ty. The elder Smith was an honest farmer, with humble sur- 
 roundings, in straitened financial circumstances, having lost 
 much of his property through the treachery of a trusted friend. 
 He had seven sons and three daughters, of whom Joseph, the 
 Prophet, was the fourth child. 
 
 At this period, Western New York was a new country in 
 most respects; Ohio and Illinois were yet a wilderness, and be- 
 yond Missouri, which was then the limit of the United States, 
 lay the practically unexplored western regions of the wild 
 Indian tribes. 
 
 The inhabitants of the frontier region of the great Empire 
 State were poor, plain in their living and dress, generally relig- 
 ious, or spiritually inclined, read the Bible, went to church, and 
 lived in all respects, excepting the religious, much like the pio- 
 neer of the great West a familiar character which two decades 
 ago was fast disappearing from our land had continued to 
 live up to that day. There was doubtless more religion, as it 
 is called, in the life of the early frontiersman than in that of the 
 later pioneer of the West. A hundred years ago, the various 
 and conflicting sects went enthusiastically wild in their camp 
 meetings and revivals much of which excitement has died 
 out by the promulgation of common-sense religious views since 
 then. About two years after the Smith family's removal to 
 Manchester, there was a great religious revival in the district 
 thereabout. Multitudes united themselves to the numerous 
 creeds, and when there were no further proselytes to make, 
 priests and converts turned upon each other to contend con- 
 cerning principles and dogmas, until excessive confusion and 
 bad feeling prevailed. 
 
 Members of the Smith family were divided, some joining 
 one society and others another. Young Joseph inclined to the 
 Methodists, but his mind was in a state of uneasiness owing to 
 the disunion which existed. For this cause, he kept himself 
 aloof from all parties, "awaiting the hour when the divine 
 message should stir the waters of his soul." In the midst of 
 the surrounding tumult, he often said to himself: "What is 
 to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all 
 wrong together? If any of them be right, which is it, and how 
 shall I know it?" 
 
 In this frame of mind, he was one day reading the Epistle 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 11 
 
 of James, the first chapter and fifth verse: "If any of you lack 
 wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, 
 and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Here was new 
 inspiration; he had never thought of his condition in this 
 light before. Certainly God, the Father of religion, could 
 impart the truth. The youth determined to inquire of that 
 unfailing Source; and so, on a beautiful morning, in the spring 
 of 1820, he retired to a sylvan glade in the woods to call upon 
 the name of God. Finding himself alone he bended his knees, 
 offering up to his Maker the desires of his heart vocally for 
 the first time. Then a mysterious power of darkness overcame 
 him; he could not speak; his soul was filled with a horror pre- 
 saging instant destruction. He felt himself in the grasp of an 
 unseen being of darkness. His soul went up in unuttered prayer 
 for deliverance, and as he was about despairing, the gloom rolled 
 away, he saw a pillar of light descending from heaven, and ap- 
 proaching him. The darkness fled with the enemy that had 
 afflicted him. As the light fell upon the prostrate lad, he saw 
 two personages, in the form of men, glorious above descrip- 
 tion, standing above him in the air. One of them calling him 
 by name spoke, saying: 
 
 "This is my Beloved Son, hear him." 
 
 Gaining control of his thoughts, he remembered the object 
 of his search, and inquired which of all the sects was right. In 
 answer he was told that none of them was right, and that he 
 must join none of them. Said the glorious Being: "They draw 
 near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 
 they teach for doctrine the commandments of men, having 
 a form of Godliness, but they deny the power thereof." Joseph 
 was amazed at the instruction, for up to this time it seems not 
 to have entered his mind that the true Church was not to be 
 found upon the face of the earth. Repeating their command 
 that he should not ally himself with any of the existing sects, 
 the Personages withdrew, the light vanished, and the youth, 
 recovering, found himself lying on his back gazing up into 
 heaven. 
 
 Repeating the wonderful vision of what he had seen and 
 heard, it created wide-spread surprise, not to say consterna- 
 tion and amazement. He was accounted a blasphemer for 
 announcing that the Father was a personage, and still worse, 
 
12 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 that he, an obscure boy, had seen Him and the Son, and had 
 heard their eternal voice. His parents and his brethren believed, 
 but not so with the professors of religion. One of the ministers 
 to whom he confided his vision told him flatly that it was of 
 the devil. There was no such things as visions and revelations 
 in these days. Such manifestations had ceased with the apos- 
 tles, and there would never be any more. But the lad remained 
 true to his trust and, as a result, he was persecuted, stigmatized 
 as a dreamer, a knave and a hypocrite. His life was sought, he 
 was persecuted and slandered, but still he said: "I had seen 
 a vision. I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could 
 not deny it, neither dare I do it; at least, I knew that by so 
 doing I would offend God and come under condemnation." 
 Thus, nothing could change the steadfastness of his testimony 
 which he maintained through the toil, poverty, scorn and 
 tribulation of the following three years, during which time, 
 forced from the society of his former friends, he was obliged to 
 seek the companionship which his genial and social nature 
 craved among those unnoted for their goodness, among evil 
 characters, as he himself confesses. Thus he fell frequently 
 into many foolish errors, and he felt greatly condemned, at 
 times, for his weaknesses and imperfections. 
 
 At length he again sought the Lord that he might receive 
 a forgiveness for all his sins and foibles, and know his standing 
 before his God. On the night of September 21, 1823, he prayed 
 earnestly for an answer to his petition; and, while thus engaged, 
 the darkness began to fade away, and a glory appeared, until 
 the room was lighter than noonday. In the midst of this 
 light, in the air, by his bedside, stood a radiant personage, 
 whose countenance was lovely and more bright than vivid 
 lightning. Calling the youth by name, he declared himself 
 a messenger from God whose name was Moroni. He said that 
 the Lord had a work for Joseph to do through him God's 
 authority and kingdom were to be restored to men on earth, 
 and that his name should be had for good and evil among all 
 nations. 
 
 He was shown in vision the hill wherein were hidden the 
 golden plates containing the record of the Book of Mormon, 
 and with them the Urim and Thummim, prepared by the 
 Almighty to aid in the translation of the book. The angel 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 13 
 
 then quoted from the scriptures various prophecies relating 
 to the restoration of the gospel and the Priesthood, and the 
 setting up of the Savior's Latter-day kingdom, and the ushering 
 in of the Millennium. He referred to the prophecies included 
 in the fourth and part of the third chapter of Malachi, the 
 eleventh chapter of Isaiah, and twenty-second and twenty- 
 third verses of the third chapter of Acts, and the last five 
 verses of the second chapter of Joel, saying these were about to 
 be fulfilled. He declared that the "fulness of the Gentiles" 
 would soon come in, and warned the youth that when he should 
 obtain possession of the plates of the Book of Mormon he 
 should not show them to any one except by commandment of 
 God, otherwise he would be destroyed. The angel then left, 
 the room grew dark, save just around the ascending messenger 
 who disappeared by way of what seemed a conduit right up 
 into heaven. 
 
 Powerful emotions crowded upon the mind of Joseph as 
 he lay musing on the scene, marveling upon the things which 
 had been revealed to him. While he yet pondered, the angel 
 made his second appearance, standing in a blazing glory to 
 repeat the solemn message to the listening youth. He related 
 word for word what had been said before, adding that great 
 judgments, desolation, famine, sword and pestilence were 
 coming upon the earth. Again Moroni ascended, shortly 
 thereafter returning a third time, repeating all that had been 
 said before, and adding by way of caution, that Joseph must 
 not give way to a mercenary spirit which would tempt him, 
 owing to his poverty, to secure the plates for purposes of gain. 
 The heavenly ambassador then disappeared as the twilight in 
 the east heralded the approach of day. 
 
 Having thus spent the night in holy communion with the 
 angel, Joseph left his bed at his usual hour of arising, and pro- 
 ceeded to his daily toil on the farm, but he was unable to work. 
 His father bade him return to rest in their home. On his way, 
 his strength failed him and he fell helpless to the ground as he 
 was crossing a fence. A voice aroused him by gently speaking 
 his name. He looked up and saw once more beside him the 
 angel of the previous night. For the fourth time he related the 
 heavenly message to the future prophet, closing with the 
 command that Joseph tell his father of the visits, the command- 
 
14 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 ments received, and of what he had learned of the purposes 
 of God. He obeyed, and, standing there in the field, he re- 
 lated to his father all that had passed. "My son, these things 
 are of God; take heed that you proceed in all holiness to do 
 his will," said the elder Joseph when his son had finished his 
 narration. 
 
 3. The Sacred Hill Cumorah, and its Treasure. 
 
 On the road from Palmyra to Manchester, about three or 
 four miles from the former place (twenty-five miles southwest 
 of Rochester, New York), is situated the hill Cumorah. Its 
 north end rises abruptly from a plain to the height of about 
 150 feet. It is the highest of the many hills in the neighbor- 
 hood, and is locally known by the name of "Mormon Hill." 
 
 It was to this elevation, named Cumorah by the ancient 
 Nephites, and Ramah by the Jaredites,* that Joseph, the 
 Prophet, proceeded, just after obtaining his father's consent and 
 blessing, on the eventful morning referred to in the previous 
 chapter. He knew the place immediately from the vision he 
 had seen of it. He relates that "on the west side of the hill, 
 not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the 
 plates deposited in a stone box; this stone was thick and round- 
 ing in the middle on the upper side, and thinner towards the 
 edges, so that the middle part of it was visible above the ground, 
 but the edges all around were covered with earth." Obtaining a 
 lever, he raised the stone, looked in, and there indeed beheld 
 the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breast-plate, as 
 stated by the messenger. "The box in which they lay," he 
 continues, "was formed by laying stones together in some kind 
 of cement. In the bottom of the box were laid two stones 
 cross-ways of the box, and on these stones lay the plates and 
 the other things with them." 
 
 Stretching forth his hands to remove the contents, Joseph 
 was immediately restrained by the messenger, Moroni, who 
 told him that the time had not yet arrived, but that four years 
 must elapse before the record should be delivered into his hands. 
 He was instructed to repair to the sacred spot each succeeding 
 
 ^Moroni 6:2, 4, 5, 6. 11; 8:2; Ether, Book of Mormon 15:11. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 15 
 
 year on that day, where the angel would meet and instruct him 
 respecting what the Lord was going to do and in what manner 
 the Kingdom of God was to be conducted in the latter days. 
 The messenger cautioned him to prove faithful in the meantime, 
 and likewise imparted many precious truths to the youth; 
 telling him, among other things, that he, Moroni, while living 
 on the earth four centuries after Christ, had hidden the plates 
 in the hill; that he was the last of a line of prophets who min- 
 istered to an ancient people, called Nephites, who inhabited 
 this land; that he was the son of Mormon, a Nephite prophet, 
 general, and historian, whose record the plates contained. 
 
 Having finished his instructions, and ended his counsel, 
 the angel disappeared, and Joseph, carefully covering the box 
 and replacing the soil, returned to his home, where he related 
 his experience, confiding to the members of the household all 
 that he had been empowered to reveal. They believed in his 
 wondrous story, and rejoiced in the knowledge that God had 
 spoken from the heavens. 
 
 Each succeeding 22nd day of September, for four years, 
 the hill Cumorah was visited by Joseph ; each time he met and 
 communed with the heavenly messenger, each time gazed upon 
 the precious records, each time received instructions that ex- 
 panded his intellect and gave him a more perfect conception 
 of the marvelous work which God was about to found. 
 
 The period which now followed, when he was between the 
 ages of eighteen and twenty-two years, was to be the most 
 important in his life for the shaping of his character. It was a 
 probation. In it he passed through the preparatory course in 
 which the Lord fitted the future prophet for the responsibilities 
 incident to the establishment of his Church upon the earth 
 which should endure forever more. 
 
 Joseph toiled diligently upon his father's farm until his 
 younger brothers were able to attend to the duties there and at 
 home. Then, at the age of twenty, he sought employment at 
 a distance. His engagement carried him to Harmony, Sus- 
 quehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he was employed by 
 a Mr. Josiah Stoal, of New York, in digging for a silver mine 
 which his employer imagined existed in that region. The mine 
 was a failure, and Joseph, who was greatly respected by his 
 employer, prevailed upon the latter to abandon the undertaking, 
 
16 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 which was accordingly done. While thus employed, Joseph 
 boarded at the home of Mr. Isaac Hale with whose daughter 
 Emma he became enamored. His love was reciprocated, but 
 the parents, being prejudiced against the youth by the stories 
 of his enemies circulated to injure him because he still continued 
 to assert that he had seen a vision, would not for a time consent 
 to their union. Under these circumstances, the girl being of 
 age, high-minded and devout, they acted without consent, and 
 were married in South Bainbridge, Chenango county, New 
 York, by Squire Tarbill, on the 18th day of January, 1827. 
 Returning with his wife to his father's home in Manchester, 
 he assisted in the labor on the farm to obtain means for his 
 family and his mission. 
 
 Upon these two incidents his being employed to dig for 
 silver, and his marriage away from his wife's father's home 
 were based the accusations of his enemies that he was a 
 "money-digger" and "wife-stealer." 
 
 The end of his four years' probation was rapidly approach- 
 ing. Joseph had been faithful to his trust. Not once had he 
 failed in his prescribed visits to the sacred hill. Faithfully 
 had he kept the counsels of his heavenly teacher. In his pre- 
 paratory work, he had been sincerely supported by his wife and 
 his brethren, who participated in his hopes, and did much to 
 comfort his heart, in the midst of the assaults and ridicule 
 that were heaped upon him. 
 
 At length the promised day arrived; for the fifth time 
 the youth stood upon the spot where the sacred records were 
 concealed. It was the morning of the 22nd day of September, 
 1827. With a prayer that he might prove faithful to his trust, 
 he removed the cover of the box, and stretching forth his 
 hands at the angel's command, took from their hiding place 
 the treasures there safely hidden for fourteen centuries. Lifting 
 them to the surface, he examined their beauty.* Then it 
 
 *"The Urim and Thummim was two precious stones set in an arch of silver which was 
 fastened to an ancient breast-plate of pure gold, curiously wrought. The breast-plate was 
 concave on one side and convex on the other, and seemed to have been made for a man of 
 greater stature than is ordinary in modern days. Four golden bands were fastened to it, 
 for the purpose of attaahing it to the person of its wearer two of the bands being for the 
 shoulders, the other two for the waist or hips. 
 
 "The plates, also of gold, were of uniform size; each was slightly less in thickness than 
 a common sheet of tin and was about eight inches in width; and all were bound together 
 by three rings running through one edge of the plates. Thus secured, they formed a book 
 aboxit six inches in thickness. A part of the volume, about one-third, was sealed; the other 
 leaves Joseph turned with his hand. They were covered on both sides with strange charac- 
 ters, small and beautifully engraved." Cannon's "Life of Joseph Smith," pp. 22-23. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 17 
 
 was that the angel charged him to shield the records from pro- 
 fane sight and touch, to guard them as sacredly as he would 
 his life. He was now alone responsible. If, through any neglect, 
 he should suffer them carelessly to be destroyed or lost, great 
 should be his chastisement, and he should finally be cut off; 
 but, if he should use all care to preserve them until they should 
 be called for again by the messenger, they should be protected 
 from the efforts that would be made to rob him of them, and 
 he should have the support of heaven and come off triumphant. 
 "Moroni disappeared, and the Prophet of the Last Dis- 
 pensation stood alone upon Cumorah, clasping to his bosom the 
 priceless trust." 
 
 4. Translating the Record. 
 
 Soon it became apparent why Joseph had been cautioned 
 by the angel to guard the plates so carefully. No sooner had 
 he begun his homeward journey than he was assaulted by evil 
 persons who sought his destruction. Three times, on the short 
 journey to his home, he was attacked by unknown men who 
 endeavored to strike him and rob him of his charge. Once he 
 was hit with a bludgeon. However, he reached home with the 
 plates unharmed, though himself bruised and weakened from 
 the contest. But the persecution was continued, falsehoods 
 were cunningly set afloat concerning him, prejudice walled 
 him in, assassins lurked by his pathway, seeking his life, mobs 
 surrounded his home, every means was adopted .by his enemies 
 for his destruction and to gain possession of the plates. But 
 while their efforts in these directions failed, his enemies suc- 
 ceeded by these means in preventing Joseph from proceeding 
 with his work of translation, and the persecution at length 
 became so unbearable that he was forced to flee from Man- 
 chester. He then determined to go to the residence of his 
 wife's father in Pennsylvania. 
 
 No sooner had he decided upon this course than poverty, 
 another seemingly insurmountable barrier, presented itself; 
 but this was relieved by the timely aid rendered by a Mr. 
 Martin Harris,* a respectable and well-to-do farmer of Pal- 
 
 *One of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, born Easttown, Saratoga county, 
 N. Y., May 18, 1783; died Clarkston, Cache county, Utah, July 10, 1875. 
 
18 A BRIEF HISTORY OP THE CHURCH. 
 
 myra Township, New York, a friend who was inspired to assist 
 the Prophet in the midst of his afflictions with a gift of fifty 
 dollars. By this means he was enabled to reach his destination 
 in Pennyslvania. Twice on this journey, Joseph was stopped 
 by officers, armed with pretended law warrants, who searched 
 the wagon in quest of the golden plates, but again they were 
 unsuccessful. 
 
 Early in December, 1827, he reached the residence of 
 Mr. Isaac Hale, his father-in-law, where he was kindly received, 
 the anger of his wife's parents over the young people's inde- 
 pendent action in getting married having evidently abated. 
 
 Immediately after his arrival, he began copying the 
 characters of the plates, and by means of the Urim and Thum- 
 mim translated some of them, in which labor he was engaged 
 from the time of his arrival to the following February. It was 
 some time during this month that his friend Martin Harris 
 visited him to learn more of his wondrous mission. Soon 
 after, Mr. Harris carried away to New York some of the copies 
 and translations made from the plates, the object being to 
 show them to some scientist or linguist who should determine 
 on their genuineness; for while Mr. Harris believed, he was 
 evidently not without his doubts. 
 
 Being shown the characters, Professor Charles Anthon, of 
 Columbia College, stated, according to the account of Mr. 
 Harris, that the translation was correct, more so than any he 
 had before seen translated from the Egyptian. The Professor 
 was then shown' the untranslated characters, which he said were 
 true Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyriac, and Arabic characters. 
 He prepared a certificate, certifying to the people of Palmyra, 
 embodying the expressed assertions, and gave it to Mr. Harris, 
 who folded it, placed it in his pocket, and was about to leave 
 when the Professor inquired how the young man learned that 
 there were gold plates in the place where he found them. 
 
 "An angel of God revealed it to him," was the farmer's 
 reply. 
 
 "Let me see that certificate," said the astonished Profes- 
 sor. Mr. Harris complied, doubtless thinking the learned man 
 desired to add something to it, but no sooner was the paper in 
 the Professor's hands than he tore it in pieces, saying: 
 
 "There is no such thing now as ministering of angels;" 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 19 
 
 adding that if he would bring the plates to him he would trans- 
 late them. 
 
 "A part of the plates is sealed, and I am forbidden to bring 
 them," said Mr. Harris, whereupon the Professor contemp- 
 tuously replied : 
 
 "I cannot read a sealed book." 
 
 And thus were fulfilled literally the words of Isaiah, the 
 ancient prophet of God.* 
 
 The related incident converted Mr. Harris to the testi- 
 mony of Joseph and, returning, he offered to become the scribe 
 of the Prophet in the work of translation, which proffer was 
 gladly accepted. Their joint labors in this work continued 
 from April 12 to June 15, 1828, by which time 116 pages of 
 manuscript had been translated, and was copied by Mr. Harris. 
 At this time the latter much desired to show his wife and other 
 skeptics these pages, and at length, much against the will of 
 Joseph, received permission to do so, on condition that only 
 certain persons named should be allowed to see the writings. 
 This pledge was broken, and the manuscript was stolen, being 
 never again seen by Joseph who thus angered the Almighty, 
 and, besides, lost his gift of translation for a time. Mr. Harris, 
 though he was forgiven, and afterward became one of the Three 
 Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, never again acted as Joseph's 
 scribe. Joseph's wife now assisted him for a short period in the 
 work of translation, but owing to her household duties and the 
 loss of their first born, in the summer of 1828, slow and tedious 
 progress was made. 
 
 Joseph prayed earnestly to the Lord that he might receive 
 assistance in the task before him; and, in answer to his petitions 
 there came to his door, in Harmony, a young school teacher, 
 named Oliver Cowdery, who had heard of and believed in the 
 angelic vision of the Prophet. He offered his services as scribe 
 and secretary, which were eagerly accepted, and the hindered 
 work again proceeded on the 7th day of April, 1829, advancing 
 so rapidly that by the middle of the following May its greater 
 part was completed. 
 
 *Isaiah 29:11, 12: "And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that 
 is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he 
 saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, say- 
 ing, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned." 
 
20 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 While the work progressed, not only were many precious 
 truths revealed from heaven to the young men, but 
 from the records themselves, they gleaned many glorious prin- 
 ciples that gave them great joy. But persecution continued 
 unabated, so much so that if Joseph's father-in-law had not 
 given them protection, it is doubtful that they could have pro- 
 ceeded. Timely financial aid was rendered them by Joseph 
 Knight of Colesville, Broome county, and, at the residence of 
 the Whitmer family, friends of Oliver Cowdery, at Fayette, 
 Seneca county, they found a home in which the latter portion 
 of the records was translated, they having been invited to 
 come there by David Whitmer. 
 
 At length the translation was completed, the plates were 
 recommitted into the charge of the angel Moroni, who received 
 them back into his keeping until the time shall come when the 
 sealed portions are to be brought forth.* 
 
 The Prophet and his friends visited at Palmyra Mr. Martin 
 Harris, to arrange for the publication of the work for which that 
 gentleman was to furnish the money. Arrangements were 
 made with Mr. Egbert B. Grandin to print five thousand copies 
 for three thousand dollars, and the copyright was secured on 
 the llth day of June, 1829. While Joseph visited his home 
 in Pennsylvania, during the autumn of 1829, and the succeed- 
 ing winter, Oliver Cowdery remained to give his attention to 
 the printing and publication of the book; and, in the spring of 
 1830, the first edition of the Book of Mormon was given to the 
 world. 
 
 5. Important Revelations. 
 
 To the Prophet Joseph, intelligence concerning the new 
 Church which God was about to establish, was made known as 
 it was needed, as the work progressed. The whole plan was 
 neither revealed at once nor understood by the Prophet from 
 the beginning. During his whole life he received numerous 
 revelations through which he was taught and by which fee was 
 prepared for his labors as they appeared. These counsels and 
 teachings are found in the Doctrine and Covenants, a book 
 
 Nephi 27;6-30, 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 21 
 
 of revelations given, as necessity demanded, for the comfort 
 and guidance of the servants of God and the Church. 
 
 On one occasion, while engaged in the translation of the 
 Book of Mormon, Joseph and Oliver encountered a passage 
 which spoke of baptism for the remission of sins. This being 
 new to them, as it is to many to this day, they felt a desire, a 
 necessity to comply with this doctrine. After consulting on 
 the matter, they went to the woods and there united in prayer 
 for light on the subject. While thus engaged a heavenly mes- 
 senger descended before them. He told them that he was John 
 the Baptist, and that he had come to minister to them under 
 the direction of the Apostles Peter, James and John, who still 
 held the keys of the Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. 
 Laying his hands upon their heads, he conferred upon them the 
 Aaronic Priesthood, which holds the keys of the ministering of 
 angels, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. * 
 The angel also instructed them in the duties of this Priesthood, 
 saying that in due time the Higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, 
 without which there can be no true Church of Christ, would be 
 conferred upon them by proper authority. John then command- 
 ed them to go forth and baptize each the other by virtue of 
 the authority transmitted to them; this was accordingly done 
 on the 15th day of May, 1829, when Joseph baptized Oliver 
 and afterward Oliver immersed Joseph for the remission 
 of sins. Coming out of the water, they ordained each other to 
 the Aaronic Priesthood, following which the Holy Ghost fell 
 upon them, causing them to rejoice and prophesy. The Holy 
 Ghost was later conferred upon them by Peter, James and 
 John. Thus was the beginning made to the membership 
 of the Church of Christ, the initiatory ordinance being perform- 
 ed by direct authority from heaven. 
 
 Time after time, Joseph proclaimed to anxious inquirers 
 the tidings that an angel from heaven had restored to earth 
 the power to baptize men for the remission of sins, and that 
 himself and Oliver had been recipients thereof. Out of the 
 scriptures, he reasoned with his friends, as he met them. People 
 soon began to receive the testimony, among the first being 
 Samuel H. and Hyrum Smith, brothers of the Prophet. 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, 13. 
 
22 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 After the removal to Fayette, several members of the 
 Whitmer family became convinced of the divine mission of the- 
 Prophet, and were baptized; while many others thereabout 
 were soon made believers through the inspiration of the Spirit, 
 and by means of the instructions and persuasions of Joseph 
 and Oliver, who were privileged to meet the people and speak 
 to them on many occasions. 
 
 In the course of the work of translating the Book of Mor- 
 mon, the Prophet and his scribe learned that the Lord would 
 provide three special witnesses, who should be granted per- 
 mission to see the plates, etc., and who should bear record of 
 the same.* By revelation, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer 
 and Martin Harris were chosen such witnesses.** Some days 
 after their selection, these men with the Prophet retired into 
 the woods to obtain a fulfilment of the promised privilege.*** 
 In answer to their prayers, an angel appeared showing them the 
 plates, turning over the leaves, one by one, so that they could 
 see them and discover upon them the engravings. A voice 
 said unto them that the plates had been revealed and correctly 
 translated by the power of God. They were then commanded 
 to bear record of what they saw and heard, which they after- 
 ward did, their testimony being found in every edition of the 
 Book of Mormon. It remains unimpeached to this day; not- 
 withstanding all of them subsequently apostatized, not one 
 of them ever denied that he had seen the plates and the heaven- 
 ly messenger, as he had at first solemnly testified. Eight other 
 witnesses, whose testimony is also found in all editions of the 
 book, testify that Joseph showed them the plates which they 
 handled. 
 
 At a day not definitely known, but between the 15th of 
 May and the end of June, 1829, Peter, James and John ap- 
 peared in glory to Joseph, conferring upon him and Oliver 
 Cowdery the Melchizedek Priesthood which these ancient dis- 
 ciples of the Lord and Savior held while in mortality.**** These 
 two modern servants of God, the first elder and the second in 
 the Church later ordained each other to the same Priesthood. 
 
 *See Book of Mormon, Ether 5:2-4. 
 **See Section 17, Doctrine and Covenants. 
 ***"History of the Church," Vol. 1, pp. 52-5. 
 ****Doctrine and Covenants, 20:2, 3. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 23 
 
 The gift of the Holy Ghost was now sealed upon their heads, 
 and they rejoiced exceedingly, being now in position to confer 
 this gift upon others. They were also thus made possessors 
 of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which is the "moving, directing, 
 controlling, governing or presiding agency, right and authority 
 which is vested in the Godhead and delegated unto man for 
 the purposes of his instruction, initiation into the Church, 
 spiritual and temporal guidance, government and exaltation. . . . 
 Which is without father, without mother or descent, or begin- 
 ning of days, or end of life, which the Great High Priest, Mel- 
 chizedek, so honored and magnified in his time that it was 
 called after his name, in honor to him and to avoid the too 
 frequent repetition of the name of the Son of God."* 
 
 Following their ordination to the High Priesthood, came 
 a momentous revelation from the Lord making known to them 
 the calling of Twelve Apostles in the last days, giving also 
 many instructions concerning the building up of the Church 
 of Christ according to the fulness of the gospel.** 
 
 Thus, during the eventful months of May and June, 1829, 
 were revealed many important truths and principles, fraught 
 with world-wide benefits, with great consequences to the re- 
 ligious world. The Priesthood was restored and conferred, 
 giving men authority to act in the name of God. 
 
 It was learned that baptism is essential, and is for the re- 
 mission of sins; and men were authorized to perform this or- 
 dinance. 
 
 Witnesses were chosen to testify to the divinity of the 
 Book of Mormon, now almost ready to be distributed to the 
 inhabitants of the world, who would through it receive a ful- 
 ness and undefiled explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ as 
 taught anciently. 
 
 The beginning was successfully made in proclaiming these 
 tidings to mankind. 
 
 As a result of the whole, the hour was rapidly approaching 
 when the true Church could be organized, when the "marvelous 
 work and a wonder" which the Lord was in the act of bringing 
 forth could be thoroughly founded in the earth. 
 
 *Joseph F. Smith, in "The Contributor," Vol. X, page 307. "Gospel Doctrine," 
 pages 236-246. 
 
 **See Doctrine and Covenants, Section 18. 
 
24 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 II. 
 
 FROM THE ORGANIZATION TO THE FLIGHT 
 FROM KIRTLAND. 
 
 1830-1838. 
 
 1. Organization of the Church. 
 
 By the will and commandments of God,* the 6th day 
 of April, 1830, was the date fixed for the organization of the 
 Church, for which everything was now in readiness. On that 
 day, a meeting of the baptized members, about forty in number, 
 was called, and assembled in the house of Peter Whitmer, Sen., 
 in Fayette, Seneca county, New York. The Church of Jesus 
 Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, on the date named, 
 with six members, which number was required by law.** 
 The original members were: Joseph Smith, Jun., Oliver Cow- 
 dery, Hyrum Smith, Peter Whitmer, Jun., Samuel H. Smith 
 and David Whitmer. 
 
 In conformity with previously revealed commandments, 
 the Prophet Joseph, having first opened the meeting by prayer, 
 called upon the members present to know whether they were 
 willing to accept him and Oliver Cowdery as their teachers in 
 the Kingdom of God, and whether they were willing to be 
 organized as a Church. By unanimous vote, they consented, 
 whereupon Joseph laid his hands upon Oliver ordaining him 
 an Elder in the Church of Christ, after which Joseph was or- 
 dained by Oliver to the same office. The Sacrament of the 
 Lord's Supper was partaken of by those who had been bap- 
 tized, following which they were confirmed members of the 
 Church, and made the recipients of the Holy Ghost by the lay- 
 ing on of the elders' hands. The Spirit was richly manifest, 
 so that all rejoiced and praised God, while a number prophesied. 
 Some of the brethren, for the members were now "brethren 
 and sisters," were likewise, at this time, ordained to the various 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Section 20:1-4. 
 **"History of the Church," Vol. 1, pages 74-77. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 25 
 
 offices in the Priesthood, the duties of which were made known 
 by revelation about this time. * 
 
 While the Saints were yet together, on this occasion, the 
 Prophet Joseph voiced to his followers the revelation found in 
 the twenty-first section of the Doctrine and Covenants, in 
 which his divine calling is declared, the forgiveness of his sins pro- 
 claimed, and the Church commanded to give heed, in all patience 
 and faith, to his words as he shall receive them, as if they came 
 from the mouth of the Lord himself; being promised, in so 
 doing that, the Lord would disperse darkness from before them, 
 cause the heavens to shake for their good, and that the gates 
 of hell should not prevail against them. Mighty blessings are 
 promised to those who shall labor in the vineyard to declare the 
 way open for the remission of sins, and Jesus crucified for the 
 sins of the world. 
 
 "Thus was founded," says the Historian Whitney, "the 
 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thus arose, as 
 a system, what the world terms 'Mormonism,' universally 
 regarded as the most remarkable religious movement of modern 
 times; detested and denounced throughout Christendom as 
 a dangerous and soul-destroying imposture, but revered and 
 defended by its disciples as the wonderful work of the Almighty, 
 the veritable marvelous work and wonder foretold by Isaiah and 
 other ancient seers, which was to prepare the world, by the 
 preaching of the restored gospel and the founding of the Latter- 
 day Zion, for Messiah's second coming and the advent of the 
 Millennium." 
 
 2. Manifestations and Persecutions. 
 
 The Church was organized on a Tuesday, and the first 
 public meeting thereafter was held at the house of Peter Whit- 
 mer, in Fayette, on the following Sunday, April 11, 1830. 
 Since the appointment for this gathering had gone forth in all 
 the surrounding neighborhood, it was attended by a large 
 number of people. On this occasion Oliver Cowdery, under 
 Joseph's direction, preached the first public discourse delivered 
 
 *In the 20th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants are found instructions concerning 
 Church organization, government and discipline, the proper mode of baptism, the ad- 
 ministration of the Sacrament, duties of officers and members, etc. 
 
26 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 by an authorized servant of God in the latter-day dispensation. 
 Saints and strangers were greatly comforted, many of the latter 
 seeking baptism and membership among the people of God. 
 Six were added that day, followed by seven others on Sunday, 
 the 18th, all being baptized by Oliver Cowdery, in Seneca 
 Lake. 
 
 During the latter part of the month of April, Joseph visited 
 the home of Mr. Joseph Knight, at Colesville, Broome county, 
 New York, the gentleman who had so kindly aided him in the 
 hour of need, while engaged in translating the Book of Mormon. 
 Mr. Knight and family, who were Universalists, received him 
 kindly, reasoning calmly with him upon his religious views. 
 The Prophet held several meetings which created both friends 
 and enemies, and elicited numerous inquiries after the truth. 
 Among those who attended regularly was Newel Knight, a 
 son of Joseph Knight, who became so interested in the words of 
 the Prophet that he promised to pray in meeting before his 
 friends. When the time came, however, he could not be pre- 
 vailed upon to do that, but instead retired into the woods, 
 from which place he returned in an alarming condition of mind 
 and body. Visiting him, Joseph found his visage and limbs 
 distorted and twisted; and while the Prophet was yet there, 
 his friend was caught up from the floor and tossed helplessly 
 about the room. Through the power of the Spirit, Joseph saw 
 that he was in the hands of the evil one, and that the power 
 of God alone could save him from such tortures. Joseph 
 succeeded in getting hold of his hand, when Newel requested 
 that the devil which possessed him be cast out. Joseph replied: 
 "If you know that I can, it shall be done," and then, almost 
 unconsciously, the servant of God rebuked the destroyer, com- 
 manding him in the name of Jesus Christ to depart. Instantly, 
 Newel cried out with joy, saying that he could see the devil 
 leave the room and vanish from sight. His countenance became 
 natural, his distortions ceased, he was filled with the Holy 
 Ghost, he believed, was made whole, and was afterward baptized 
 by David Whitmer, while on a visit to Fayette in the latter part 
 of May. Many others who witnessed this strange event sub- 
 sequently became members of the Church. 
 
 Thus was the first miracle performed in the Church, by 
 the power of God, and it was a beginning of the realization of 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 27 
 
 the promises made for it was the gospel of "signs" following 
 the believer, as in days of old. Since then, thousands of 
 miraculous healings have been, and are being, performed by 
 the elders who ever give to the Father the praise, honor and 
 glory. 
 
 Having completed his labors in Colesville, Joseph returned 
 to Fayette where he found much excitement over the coming 
 forth of the Book of Mormon, which, though having been in 
 print for some time,^"was accounted a strange thing." The 
 Saints, their friends, and believers in the book, were being sub- 
 jected to much petty persecution. 
 
 In Fayette, on the first day of June, 1830, the first confer- 
 ence of the Church was held. Thirty members were present 
 on the opening day, there being also many strangers, and be- 
 lievers in the new faith. The Sacrament was administered; 
 the faith of the congregation was so great that many saw 
 heavenly visions, and felt the manifestations of the Spirit in 
 such a miraculous manner that they were deprived of their 
 natural strength for a time. Restored to their bodily powers, 
 they shouted "Hosannas to God and the Lamb," and rehearsed 
 the glories which they beheld while yet in the Spirit. Many 
 baptisms followed, more were ordained to the offices of the 
 Priesthood, the brethren were inspired with fresh zeal in the 
 cause, and "Mormonism" began spreading with unprecedented 
 rapidity. 
 
 Returning immediately after this conference to his home in 
 Pennsylvania, Joseph soon thereafter departed thence, with 
 his wife, on a visit to the home of Joseph Knight, at Colesville, 
 where he found many believers anxious for baptism. One 
 Saturday night, the elders constructed a dam over a stream, 
 where baptisms were to be performed after the appointed meet- 
 ing on the following Sabbath day. But a mob, led by certain 
 priests in the neighborhood, tore away the dam, necessitating 
 the postponement of the ordinance till Monday, when, not- 
 withstanding the rage of their enemies (who had become still 
 more embittered at hearing the testimonies of the divinity of 
 the Book of Mormon, and the first principles of the gospel, at 
 the Sunday meeting), thirteen persons were baptized under 
 the hands of Oliver Cowdery. Among these was Emma, the 
 
28 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 wife of the Prophet Joseph, whose joy at welcoming her into the 
 fold was unspeakable. 
 
 Scarcely was the ordinance completed, when the mob 
 again began their annoyances. Fifty men surrounded the house 
 of Mr. Knight, and it was only by exercising great care that the 
 elders were saved from violence. Joseph confronted the mob, 
 bravely answering their insults and threatenings, in a vain 
 endeavor to pacify them. Finally the rabble withdrew, and 
 the elders prudently went to the home of Newel Whitney. 
 Here, as they were about to confirm the gathered converts, a 
 constable appeared with a warrant for the arrest of Joseph, the 
 charge being preaching the Book of Mormon and setting the 
 country in an uproar. The arrest had been instigated by the 
 mob whose plan was to get him into their hands, so the now 
 friendly constable said. This proved to be true, and but for 
 the friendliness of the officer, who found Joseph a different 
 personage from what he had been represented, undoubtedly 
 they would have taken him into custody. When the mob sur- 
 rounded the wagon, the constable whipped up his horse, and 
 thus drove the Prophet out of their reach. Taking him to 
 South Bainbridge, Chenango county, he was lodged in a tavern 
 where the constable kept watch over him for the night. Next 
 day, amid great excitement, he was called for trial, the charges, 
 among others, being that he had obtained from Josiah Stoal, 
 his former employer, a horse, and from Jonathan Thompson, 
 a yoke of oxen, by telling them that he had received revelations 
 that he was to have the property. Taking the witness stand, 
 these gentlemen testified in the prisoner's favor, and he was 
 promptly acquitted. His defenders were Messrs. Joseph David- 
 son and John Reid, who had been secured by Mr. Joseph 
 Knight. 
 
 No sooner was Joseph set free than he was rearrested on a 
 warrant from Broome county, and taken to Colesville for trial. 
 The officer into whose hands he now fell treated him harshly, 
 allowing him neither food nor water for many hours. At the 
 tavern, the rabble abused, ridiculed, insulted, spit upon and 
 pointed their fingers at him. Then, at length, he was given some 
 crusts of bread and water, and permitted to retire for the night. 
 
 At the trial on the following day, the same gentlemen de- 
 fended him as were at the former trial. They held forth in its 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 29 
 
 true light the malicious nature of the prosecutors of the case. 
 Joseph was again promptly acquitted, there being no cause for 
 action. This greatly angered his enemies who now threatened 
 him with violence. 
 
 They were prevented from accomplishing their designs 
 by the officer who had before treated him so harshly, but who, 
 like many others who had witnessed the case, was now disposed 
 to be friendly. With this help, Joseph and his wife escaped 
 unharmed to his home in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Not many days after, however, he, with Oliver Cowdery, 
 revisited Colesville to confirm the baptized members, but 
 scarcely had they arrived at the residence of Mr. Knight when 
 the mob began to gather, and they were forced to flee for their 
 lives, without accomplishing their purpose. On a subsequent 
 visit they were more successful. 
 
 With the assistance of his wife and John Whitmer, Joseph 
 now spent some time in arranging and copying the revelations 
 received up to this date. In the month of June, what is known 
 as the " Visions of Moses,"* and in July the commandments 
 found in the 24th, 25th and 26th sections of the Doctrine and 
 Covenants, were made known. 
 
 Oliver Cowdery had returned to Mr. Whitmer's at Fayette, 
 and while Joseph was yet in Harmony, he received a letter 
 from him, in which the announcement was made that an error 
 had been discovered in one of the commandments, which 
 Joseph was asked to correct, to which the Prophet replied that 
 the words were given of God, and must stand as written until 
 God should change them.** 
 
 It was only after Joseph had made a personal visit to 
 Fayette that Oliver, and some of the Whitmer family who had 
 also been misled, were convinced of the correctness of the 
 Prophet's position; but even then, the incident caused a breach 
 between the First Elder and the Second, whose relations up 
 to this time had been congenial and mutually helpful, which 
 only temporarily closed, soon to be re-opened. 
 
 In the early part of August, some of the unconfirmed 
 members, baptized in Colesville, came to Harmony, whereupon 
 
 *See "Pearl of Great Price," page 1. 
 
 **See Doctrine and Covenants, Section 20, verse 37, the words enclosed in commas 
 in the last four lines. "History of the Church," Vol. 1, pages 104-105. 
 
30 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Joseph prepared to hold a confirmation meeting. Wishing to 
 administer the Sacrament, he set out to obtain some wine, 
 when he was met by a heavenly messenger, and received a 
 revelation in which the use of wine in the Sacrament is for- 
 bidden, unless it be made new among the Saints themselves.* 
 Returning, Joseph complied with the instructions, the meeting 
 being held as contemplated. 
 
 Persecutions now revived in Harmony, set in motion by 
 the efforts of a Methodist minister. Joseph's father-in-law, 
 Mr. Isaac Hale, was prevailed upon to join the ranks of the 
 opponents, and from that time on became a bitter foe to Joseph 
 and the Church. It became impossible for Joseph and Emma 
 to remain in their old home in Harmony, arid so, accepting 
 a second invitation from the Whitmers, they removed to 
 Fayette, arriving there in the latter part of August, 1830. 
 
 3. Mission to the Lamanites. 
 
 Fresh trouble now confronted the cause. Upon arriving 
 in Fayette, the Prophet found serious dissensions among his 
 followers. The trouble arose over a stone in the possession of 
 Hiram Page, through which he had obtained a number of 
 spurious revelations, the teachings of which were contrary to 
 the doctrines of the New Testament, and to those received by 
 the head of the Church. A number of the Saints had been 
 misled, prominent among whom were Oliver Cowdery and 
 some of the Whitmer family. Speaking in the name of the Lord, 
 the Prophet told them that Satan had deceived Hiram Page, 
 that the communications received through the stone were not 
 of God, and that he alone was to receive revelations for the 
 Church, until another should be appointed in his stead. All 
 things were to be done in order, and by common consent 
 by the prayer of faith. Oliver Cowdery was called upon to 
 induce Page to discard the stone, and he was likewise called to 
 preach the gospel to the Lamanites, which mission he was to 
 fill as soon as the differences then existing in the Church were 
 settled.** In this same revelation, allusion is made to a "city" 
 
 *Section 27, Doctrine and Covenants, verses 1-4. 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 28:1-8. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 31 
 
 which, though not definitely located, was to be founded some- 
 where in the West, on the "borders by the Lamanites." It 
 was about this time also that the important revelation concern- 
 ing the eventual gathering of the Saints was given. * 
 
 At a three days' conference in Fayette, the second held in 
 the Church, beginning September 1, 1830, Hiram Page and his 
 associates renounced the stone in question, and all things con- 
 nected therewith, renewing their fealty to Joseph as their 
 leader and prophet. Thus harmony was restored once more, the 
 threatened schism being completely blotted out. At this con- 
 ference, two revelations were given (Doctrine and Covenants, 
 Sections 30 and 31) calling a number of the brethren on mis- 
 sions; and soon after its adjournment, preparations were made 
 for introducing the gospel to the Lamanites, or Indians, in 
 conformity with the revealed word.** 
 
 The Latter-day Saints believe that they themselves are 
 of Israel, and it is a cardinal doctrine with them that scattered 
 Israel shall be gathered in the last days, which in a measure 
 accounts for the startling sacrifices made by them in pro- 
 claiming the gospel to all the nations of the earth, and in their 
 calling upon the honest in heart, the seed of Israel, to gather 
 to the land of Zion, or America. With Jeremiah, they believe 
 that, "He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, 
 as a shepherd doth his flock." Hence their eagerness to de- 
 clare the word of the Lord to the nations, and in the "isles 
 afar off." The gathering, which involves not only the scat- 
 tered remnants of Israel, but also the return of the Ten Tribes 
 from the "north country," the restoration of the Jews, and the 
 re-building of Jerusalem, was accounted a strange doctrine 
 when first announced in this age; so was the calling of mis- 
 sionaries to go forth to preach without purse or scrip. Even the 
 inspired mind of the Prophet scarcely understood, nay, did 
 not understand, the full import of these and other doctrines 
 revealed through his instrumentality. But he made this motto 
 his rule of life; "When the Lord commands, do it," at the same 
 time showing his followers the necessity of a like obedience. 
 
 The Indians, according to the belief of the Saints, which is 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Section 29 : 1-1 1 See also Section 10 :59-66. 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 32. 
 
32 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 founded upon the statements of the Book of Mormon, are a 
 branch of the House of Israel, and are therefore to hear the 
 word of God so that they may carry out their portion of the 
 great gospel program, and assist in building up the city of 
 Zion, the New Jerusalem of the West. Hence the calling of 
 missionaries, at this early day, to present the true gospel to 
 them, together with the Book of Mormon, a record of the hand- 
 dealings of God with their forefathers. 
 
 The men selected by revelation* to perform this first dis- 
 tant mission, "to go into the wilderness, through the western 
 states, and into the Indian territory," were Oliver Cowdery, 
 Peter Whitmer, Jr., Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson. While 
 they were specially called to the Indians, they were neverthe- 
 less to preach wherever opportunity offered. 
 
 Parley P. Pratt, whose history at this point is inseparably 
 interwoven with that of the Church, was born April 12, 1807, in 
 Burlington, Otsego county, New York, and was baptized into 
 the Church by Oliver Cowdery, in Seneca Lake, September 1, 
 1830. Previously he had been a Campbellite preacher. The 
 Campbellites were a sect of reformed Baptists, whose strong- 
 hold was in and about Kirtland, Ohio, and the shores of Lake 
 Erie. Among their noted men were Alexander Campbell, the 
 founder of the sect, and Sidney Rigdon, a gifted expounder of 
 the Scriptures. Soon after joining this sect, in August, 1830, 
 Pratt decided to devote his life to the ministry, for which rea- 
 son he sold his frontier home in Ohio, going east to carry out his 
 resolve. While on this journey, he first saw the Book of Mor- 
 mon, in which he immediately became deeply interested. He 
 started to seek the Prophet, but not finding him at home, he 
 visited his brother Hyrum Smith, who accompanied him to 
 Fayette where, becoming convinced of the divinity of Joseph's 
 mission, he was baptized, as stated. He then went east and 
 there converted his brother Orson, afterwards a famous apostle 
 and one of the pioneer founders of Utah. Returning west, 
 he met the Prophet Joseph at Manchester, being soon there- 
 after called to fill the before-mentioned mission to the Laman- 
 ites or Indians. 
 
 Late in October, the four elders began their westward 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 28, 30 and 32. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 33 
 
 journey, on foot, trusting in the Lord "to open up the way." 
 Near Buffalo, they presented their interesting message to the 
 Catteraugus Indians, giving them copies of the Book of Mor- 
 mon. They were kindly received by the red men. Continuing 
 their journey, their next stop was at Kirtland, then a prosper- 
 ous frontier town of about two thousand inhabitants, a city 
 where " 'Mormonism,' itself, the parent Church, was destined 
 soon to plant its pilgrim feet." Seeking an interview with his 
 former teacher, Sidney Rigdon, Elder Pratt delivered to him 
 the message of his new-found truths. Mr. Rigdon, with many 
 of his prominent followers, among whom may be mentioned 
 Edward Partridge and Newel K. Whitney, afterward the first 
 two bishops of the Church, soon became convinced that they 
 had no authority to minister in the ordinances of God, hence, 
 were not legally baptized and ordained. Consequently many 
 of them submitted to baptism at the hands of Elder Pratt and 
 his associates, through whose ministrations they were initiated 
 into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and re- 
 ceived the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. 
 The interest and excitement over the new missionaries became 
 general in the surrounding region. Night and day they were 
 busy teaching the multitudes who came to listen. In two or 
 three weeks after their arrival, one hundred and twenty-seven 
 souls were baptized, which number soon increased to one thou- 
 sand. The new converts "were filled with joy and gladness; 
 while rage and lying were abundantly manifested by gainsay- 
 ers; faith was strong, joy was great, and persecutions heavy." 
 
 Ordaining Sidney Rigdon, Isaac Morley, John Murdock, 
 Lyman Wight, Edward Partridge and many others, many of 
 whom afterward became noted in the chronicles of the Church, 
 to the ministry to take charge of the Saints and minister the 
 gospel, the successful missionaries, having first notified the 
 Prophet of their progress, proceeded westward, adding to their 
 number a new convert, Frederick G. Williams. 
 
 At Sandusky, in Western Ohio, the Wyandots were visited, 
 which tribe rejoiced in the strange tidings revealed to them of 
 their forefathers, and of the restored gospel. They were very 
 friendly, and bade the elders God-speed to the West, in which 
 direction the red men expected soon to follow. 
 
 Thence the missionaries proceeded to Cincinnati and St. 
 
34 A BRIEF HISTORY OP THE CHURCH. 
 
 Louis, where they met with little or no success. In passing 
 his old forest home, some fifty miles from Kirtland, Elder Pratt 
 was arrested on some trivial charge, but sagaciously made his 
 escape. Near St. Louis they halted, owing to the dreadful 
 storms, snow being three feet deep. With the opening of the 
 new year, 1831, they continued their journey, traveling on 
 foot three hundred miles through prairies covered with track- 
 less wilds of snow, without shelter or fire, having for food 
 frozen corn bread and raw pork. At length, Independence, 
 Jackson county, in the extreme western frontier of Missouri, 
 was reached. So far, the missionaries had been absent four 
 months, they had traveled about fifteen hundred miles, through 
 a comparative wilderness, mostly on foot, in the worst season 
 of the year. They had preached the gospel to tens of thousands 
 of their own race, and to two nations of Indians, besides having 
 confirmed many hundreds and organized them into branches 
 of the Church. 
 
 Two of the brethren remained at tailor work in Independ- 
 ence, while Elders Pratt and Cowdery crossed the frontier to 
 the Indians, tarrying one night with the Shawnees; after which 
 they crossed the Kansas River to the Delawares. Seeking 
 the aged chief of this nation, a polygamist and sachem of ten 
 tribes, the missionaries presented their message to him by 
 means of a friendly interpreter. They were received kindly. 
 After some hesitancy, on the part of the chief, a council was 
 called, and Oliver Cowdery was permitted to address the In- 
 dians. Presenting them with a copy of the Book of Mormon, 
 he gave an account of its history, and of the restoration of the 
 gospel. For several days they remained to instruct the ab- 
 origines, whose interest became intense, the excitement spread- 
 ing to the whole tribe. Finally the ministers and agents on 
 the frontier heard of the excitement, and through them the 
 elders were ordered out of the Indian country as peace-dis- 
 turbers, threatened with military interference in case of non- 
 compliance with the order. Under these circumstances, they 
 reluctantly departed from among the Indians, returning to 
 labor among the white settlers in Jackson county, where they 
 met with some success. 
 
 At a council of the five elders, held in Independence, on 
 the 14th day of February, 1831, it was decided to send Elder 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 35 
 
 Pratt east to report their labors to the Prophet Joseph. De- 
 parting on this perilous journey, Elder Pratt, after much suffer- 
 ing, reached Kirtland, to which city, the Prophet had now re- 
 moved. Upon his arrival in March, 1831, the Lamanite mis- 
 sionary was there greeted with a hearty reception. 
 
 4. Removal of the Church to Ohio. 
 
 Meantime, the cause of so-called "Mormonism" had rapidly 
 progressed in the East, through the ministrations of the Prophet 
 and his associates. In the fall of 1830, Joseph had been visited 
 by Orson Pratt, also by Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge 
 of Kirtland, which latter reported the condition of that branch 
 to the Prophet leader. These visitors came to inquire of the 
 Prophet what was the will of the Lord concerning them.* 
 
 Sidney Rigdon was retained to assist Joseph as scribe in 
 the inspired revision of the Holy Bible, which work was begun 
 just before the close of the year 1830. 
 
 Already, as we have seen, it had been intimated that the 
 West was the future field of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- 
 ter-day Saints, and with the success of the Lamanite mission- 
 aries in Kirtland, it became evident to Joseph that the time was 
 ripe for a general movement of the Church towards the land 
 of their future destiny. The visit of Sidney Rigdon confirmed 
 this idea. The site of the new "city" had not yet been definite- 
 ly determined, but Kirtland would be a good resting place, 
 where a flourishing stake of Zion could be established, until 
 such a time as God should reveal the location of the Zion which 
 was to be "called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of 
 refuge, a place of safety for the Saints of the Most High 
 God." In Kirtland, in the meantime, the Saints might rest 
 and gather strength. 
 
 Then came the first direct command for the Saints to 
 gather the revelation which heralded the beginning of the 
 gathering of Israel in the latter days. In it the Church is 
 commanded to "assemble together on the Ohio."** But before 
 going, Joseph and Sidney were first to preach and strengthen 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 34, 35 and 36. 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 37, 
 
36 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 the Saints in the region round about, and more especially in 
 Colesville, where the Saints were very faithful. This was done. 
 
 Preparatory to the emigration westward, in compliance 
 with the will of the Lord, a farewell gathering, the third con- 
 ference of the Church, was held at Fayette, January 2, 1831. 
 On this occasion, all the affairs of the Church in the East were 
 settled, or left with trusted agents to arrange as speedily as 
 possible. During the conference, the Lord made known to the 
 Saints, through revelation, that a land of promise should be 
 given them, which they should inherit forever on certain con- 
 ditions.* In Ohio, in the meantime, they were promised that 
 the law of God should be given to them, and that they should 
 be endowed with power from on high. 
 
 Then the movement began. Toward the latter part 
 of the month, the prophet and his wife, accompanied by Sidney 
 Rigdon, Edward Partridge, and others, left on their journey to 
 Kirtland, where they arrived about February 1, 1831. Joseph 
 introduced himself to Mr. Newel K. Whitney as "Joseph the 
 Prophet," and was by this gentleman kindly received and 
 entertained. For several weeks, himself and wife resided at 
 the home of Mr. Whitney, where Joseph's time was occupied 
 with important matters that pertained to the setting of the 
 Church in order. 
 
 Shortly after the Prophet's arrival in Kirtland, the Saints 
 in New York began to migrate. They reached their destina- 
 tion in May and June following, and settled in the northern 
 part of Ohio, principally in and about Kirtland. The Ohio 
 Saints were commanded to receive their "eastern brethren,"** 
 and divide their lands with them, until the Lord should further 
 direct the location of the "city," their land of inheritance. 
 
 5. The Law of Consecration. 
 
 Following the departure of the Lamanite missionaries 
 from Kirtland, strange notions and false spirits had crept into 
 the Church in this branch, which Joseph now immediately sought 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Section 38. 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 48. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 37 
 
 to eradicate and drive out, in which work he soon succeeded 
 by the exercise of wisdom and caution. 
 
 It appears that the Campbellites, evidently with a desire 
 to be like the early Christians who had all things in common, 
 had organized in what was called the "common stock" plan of 
 living. All dwelt together as a family, and the "family" nearly 
 all joined the Church. Joseph induced them to abandon this 
 plan for the more "perfect law of the Lord," which was conse- 
 cration, or the United Order, which now became a law to the 
 whole Church. 
 
 The provisions of this law, in short, were these: On enter- 
 ing the Order, each individual was to consecrate all his property 
 to the bishop, utterly relinquishing its possession. The Church 
 would then give a deed conveying to such person certain prop- 
 erty as a stewardship for himself and family, of which he was 
 to render an account to the bishop. Every man was to seek 
 the interest of his neighbor, there was to be no idleness, all 
 would be owners alike, yet each steward was free in the manage- 
 ment of his stewardship temporal equality was to be inaugur- 
 ated. The keynote of the order is thus given by the Prophet: 
 "It is not given that one man should possess that which is 
 above another." It was to be a system like that of the Apostles 
 at Jerusalem: "The multitude of them that believed were of 
 one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught 
 of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all 
 things common."* It was to be a system such as prevailed in 
 the "City of Enoch:" "The Lord called his people Zion, because 
 they were of one heart and one mind and dwelt in righteousness, 
 and there was no poor among them."** 
 
 The first movement towards the establishment of this 
 law was the organization of the bishopric, the presidency of the 
 Aaronic Priesthood, which has authority to minister in tem- 
 poral things. The first bishop called by revelation*** was Ed- 
 ward Partridge, who "was appointed by the voice of the Church 
 and ordained a bishop" on the 4th day of February, 1831. He 
 
 *Acts4:32. 
 
 **For interesting discussions on this topic, see Whitney's "History of Utah," Vol. 1 , 
 pp. 82-85; Roberts' "Outlines of Ecclesiastical History," pp. 353-356; also Sections 42 
 .and 51, Doctrine and Covenants. 
 
 ***Doctrine and Covenants, Section 41:9, 
 
38 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 was to relinquish his business as merchant, and spend all his 
 time in the service of the Church.* 
 
 Some days after the appointment of a bishop, a revelation, 
 found in the 42nd section of the Doctrine and Covenants, was 
 given in which the Saints are taught important doctrines con- 
 cerning the order and the government of the Church. 
 
 All the elders, except the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, 
 are afterward commanded to go out, two by two, to preach the 
 gospel, warning their converts to flee to the West. The Lord 
 promises to reveal the location of the New Jerusalem in his 
 own due time, for which the Saints were instructed to pray. 
 
 Thus was the law of consecration, the Order of Enoch, or 
 the United Order, given to the Saints; but owing to persecu- 
 tions, and to the selfishness, pride and disobedience of men, 
 it was not permanently founded. With the Saints it is one of 
 the still unsettled problems of the future, since the Lord has 
 said that without it, Zion cannot be built.** The Church 
 failed to live up to the order of God in this law, and hence, 
 the lesser law of tithing was given them in lieu thereof, in the 
 year 1838. This law requires the person to pay, first, his sur- 
 plus property to the Bishop, and after that, one-tenth of his 
 annual income.*** 
 
 6. Locating the Land of Zion. 
 
 On the 6th day of June, 1831, the fourth general confer- 
 ence of the Church was held in Kirtland, the scattered elders 
 attending, agreeable to the call by revelation. The number of 
 the Saints had now swelled to about two thousand souls. Great 
 power was manifested in this gathering. The first high priests 
 were ordained, and the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood 
 was more fully manifested than had been the case heretofore. 
 Only Joseph and Oliver up to this time had held a position in 
 
 *For complete organization of the Bishopric and its duties, see Roberts' "Outlines 
 of Ecclesiastical History," pp. 346-350; also, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 42, verses 
 30-32; and Section 51, verses 3-6 and 13-18. These quotations contain also a general out- 
 line of the Order which was introduced and sought to be established among the Saints in 
 Kirtland, Ohio, and subsequently in Missouri. For duties and responsibilities of officers, 
 see "Gospel Doctrine," pp. 187-199. 
 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 105:5. 
 ***Doctrine and Covenants, Section 119. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 39 
 
 this Priesthood higher than a common elder, which office is 
 an appendage to the Melchizedek Priesthood. 
 
 Many of the elders were commissioned to go forth, two by 
 two, to preach and baptize, as did the apostles anciently.* 
 They were to go upon different routes, journeying towards the 
 Missouri frontier, organizing branches wherever the people 
 would listen to their gospel message. They were to meet in 
 the State of Missouri where the next conference of the Church 
 was to be held, and at which time, if faithful, the location of 
 their land of inheritance would be made known to them. 
 
 Shortly after the conference, revelations were received for 
 Sidney Gilbert,** and for Newel Knight, the latter relating to 
 the Colesville branch of the Church, whose members were 
 among the first to embrace the gospel, now temporarily located 
 at Thompson, Ohio. 
 
 They were commanded to journey westward, "unto the 
 borders of the Lamanites."*** They had broken the law which 
 had been given to them in a previous revelation, and this was 
 now declared "void and of none effect." 
 
 Then followed revelations for W. W. Phelps, afterward a 
 prominent member of the Church, and Thomas B. Marsh, 
 afterward the president of the Twelve apostles, who had come 
 to learn from the Prophet the will of the Lord concerning 
 them.**** 
 
 Conforming to the commandment received during con- 
 ference, Joseph, in company with Sidney Rigdon, Martin 
 Harris, Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Joseph Coe, and 
 A. S. Gilbert and wife, started from Kirtland on the 19th of 
 June on his first visit to the land of Missouri. They were 
 followed by the Colesville Branch, the members of which were 
 among the first who received the gospel, and who this time 
 obeyed the revelation. Other elders who were called departed 
 by different routes, bound for the same destination. Joseph's 
 company, journeying by wagon, stage, canal-boat, steamer and 
 on foot, reached Independence, Missouri, about the middle of 
 July. The meeting with Oliver Cowdery and his missionary 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Section 52. 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 53. 
 : **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 54. 
 ****Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 55 and 56. 
 
40 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 associates was the occasion of great rejoicing, and according 
 to the Prophet was "moistened with many tears." 
 
 Immediately after the arrival of Joseph, the location of the 
 City of Zion, the central gathering place of the Saints, was 
 first definitely made known.* Independence was the chosen 
 site, and the spot for the temple was designated as lying west- 
 ward, on a lot not far from the courthouse. According to the 
 revelation, lands were to be purchased by the Saints, and the 
 soil in the region was to be dedicated for the gathering of Israel, 
 and for the building of the New Jerusalem. Sidney Gilbert 
 was appointed a merchant, and an agent for land purchases, 
 while Edward Partridge, assisted by two counselors, was chosen 
 to "divide the Saints their inheritance," to be a judge in Israel, 
 to receive the consecration of properties, to assign steward- 
 ships, and to receive the Saints then on the way from Ohio. 
 
 On the 1st of August, Sidney Rigdon was called by reve- 
 lation to consecrate and dedicate to the Lord the land of Zion, 
 to write a description thereof, and to prepare "an epistle and 
 subscription" to obtain money for purchasing lands for an in- 
 heritance.** 
 
 The first step toward founding Zion was taken on the 2nd 
 day of August, 1831. On that day Joseph, assisted by eleven 
 other men, the whole representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel, 
 helped to lay a log for a house in Kaw Township, twelve miles 
 west of Independence, in which locality the newly arrived 
 Saints from Colesville were settling. Elder Rigdon then dedi- 
 cated the land. The following day, the 3rd, witnessed the 
 consecration of the temple site, after which, on the 4th, the 
 fifth conference of the Church (the first in Zion) was held at 
 the house of Joshua Lewis, in Kaw Township, most of the Saints 
 being present. Revelations were given repeating some of the 
 ten commandments, also concerning the Sabbath, and the 
 return of certain elders to Kirtland, among whom were Joseph 
 Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon.*** 
 
 Complying with the word of the Lord, the Prophet, in 
 company with ten elders, left for the East, on the 9th day of 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Section 57. 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 58. 
 ***Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 59 and 60. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 41 
 
 August. During the interesting and eventful journey, two 
 revelations were given which were full of counsel and instruc- 
 tion to the brethren.* 
 
 On the 27th they arrived safe and well in Kirtland. 
 
 Thus was Zion located and dedicated on the western border 
 line of civilization, a colony planted therein, a temple site 
 selected, and a migratory stream of Saints set in motion in the 
 direction of the "promised land." In this practically untrodden 
 West, the Saints hoped to establish themselves in the City of 
 their God, but they were destined to disappointment and much 
 tribulation.** 
 
 7. Progress in Kirtland and the East. 
 
 The Prophet, assisted by Sidney Rigdon, soon after turned 
 his attention to the revision of the Scriptures, which work had 
 been stopped since the previous December. For this purpose, 
 he retired, with his wife and two infants, twins, which they 
 had adopted in place of twins of their own who had died, to the 
 quiet little town of Hiram, in Portage county, on September 
 12, 1831. They made their residence with John Johnson, a 
 member of the Church, the father of the future apostles, Luke 
 S. and Lyman E. Johnson, and father-in-law to Orson Hyde, 
 later also an apostle. 
 
 While pursuing his literary labors in this quiet retreat, 
 Joseph received many important revelations for the guidance 
 of the Church. "The Lord's Preface to the Book of Command- 
 ments," and the revelation called the "Appendix" were given 
 in November. In the latter part of the same month, Oliver 
 Cowdery and John Whitmer departed for Jackson county, 
 whither W. W. Phelps had preceded them for the purpose of 
 preparing to print the book of Doctrine and Covenants, and 
 other publications. Interesting doctrines were about this time 
 revealed explaining the Revelations of St. John,*** and the 
 meaning of verse 14, chapter vii, Paul's First Epistle to the 
 Corinthians,**** etc.; likewise instructions concerning the 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 61 and 62. 
 **Foretold in Doctrine and Covenants, Section 58, verses 2-5. 
 ! **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 77. 
 ****Doctrine and Covenants, Section 74. 
 
42 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Bishopric of the Church. * On the fourth day of December, 
 a second Bishop, Newel K. Whitney, was chosen for the Kirt- 
 land stake of Zion. 
 
 Teachings were enunciated upon which are based a number 
 of very important religious doctrines of the Latter-day Saints 
 doctrines, at that time, largely, if not entirely, new to the 
 religious world. In the "Vision"** is set forth the doctrine of 
 universal salvation, in different degrees of glory for all men 
 save the "sons of perdition," upon the condition of justice and 
 mercy, according to their faithfulness and obedience to the 
 gospel of Christ, each person being judged according to his 
 works and receiving according to his knowledge and merits. 
 Little children are saved by the blood of Christ. For the 
 heathen who died without law, there is hope; and even for the 
 wicked, who are "thrust down to hell," there is escape, after 
 they have paid "the uttermost farthing" in God's eternal 
 punishment, which does not necessarily mean never-ending 
 punishment, but punishment inflicted by the Eternal 
 One. There were spirits kept in the prison house beyond, whom 
 the Son visited, preaching to them the Gospel. They would 
 have the privilege of receiving the testimony of Jesus, and, 
 accepting it, be judged according to men in the flesh. 
 
 Besides continuing his literary labors, the Prophet took 
 active part in the ministry, attending a number of conferences, 
 and instructing the Church verbally and by written epistles. 
 The while, persecution did not abate. Ezra Booth, who had 
 apostatized, was at this time writing his series of nine letters 
 in the Ohio Star, against Joseph and the "Mormons." They 
 were the means of creating great prejudice against the Prophet 
 and his cause, and not that alone, but persecution also. He and 
 Sidney Rigdon were brutally treated by a mob, at Hiram, on 
 the night of March 25, 1832. Joseph was stripped, covered 
 with tar, beaten, and an attempt was also made to force a 
 bottle of aqua fortis down his throat. The next day, though 
 scarred and wounded, found him preaching to a large congre- 
 gation, many of whom had assisted in mistreating him the 
 previous night. That day he baptized three new converts. 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 68 and 72. 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 43 
 
 Sidney Rigdon was delirious for some time after the outrage. 
 The mobocratic feeling became so rampant that the Prophet 
 considered it wisdom to leave. 
 
 He then departed on his second visit to Missouri, in April, 
 being joined on the way by Sidney Rigdon and Bishop Whitney. 
 They took a circuitous route to avoid the mob. Before his 
 wife, Emma, left Hiram, one of the twins died as a result of 
 exposure on the night of the outrage upon her husband. This 
 little one may be called the first martyr in the Church. 
 
 On his arrival in Independence, Missouri, April 24, the 
 Prophet was well received by the Saints, but was pained to 
 learn their enemies were already beginning to heap upon them 
 insults and annoyances that were to end in their cruel exile 
 from Jackson county. 
 
 Having visited and instructed among the Saints, received 
 two important revelations,* ordered three thousand copies of 
 the Doctrine and Covenants printed, and been acknowledged 
 as president of the High Priesthood to which office he had 
 been ordained at the seventh general conference of the Church, 
 in Amherst, Ohio, on January 25 Joseph and his two com- 
 panions again started on a trip to Kirtland, early in May. 
 In Indiana, Bishop Whitney broke his leg, which delayed them 
 one month in Greenville. At this place an attempt was made 
 to poison the Prophet, and he narrowly escaped death. 
 
 Arriving in Kirtland, sometime in June, Joseph spent the 
 season working upon the revision of the Scriptures. His son 
 Joseph, now deceased leader of the Josephite, or Reorganized, 
 church, was born on the 3rd of November of that year. In 
 December, the "revelation and prophecy on war"** was re- 
 corded, which the Latter-day Saints claim was literally, though 
 only partially, fulfilled in the great conflict between the North- 
 ern and the Southern states of the Union the civil war. 
 
 The Church continued to prosper, branches being founded 
 in various parts of the United States and Canada. During 
 the winter of 1832-3, the school of the prophets was established, 
 and a temple at Kirtland was projected, the corner stones of 
 which were laid on the 23rd of July following. The revision 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 82 and 83. 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 87. 
 
44 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 of the New Testament was completed on the 2nd of February, 
 1833, and the manuscript sealed to be opened in Zion, Jackson 
 county, Missouri. 
 
 Several revelations, of great consequence to the Church, 
 among them the revelation on the Word of Wisdom, were made 
 known.* 
 
 On the 18th day of March, 1833, the First Presidency, the 
 highest presiding quorum in the Church, was first organized, 
 with the following personnel: Joseph Smith, president; Sidney 
 Rigdon, first counselor; Frederick G. Williams, second coun- 
 selor. * * 
 
 Prosperity smiled upon the cause in Kirtland and the east. 
 Over $11, 000 worth of land was purchased, upon which the Saints 
 were to build and beautify the city, surnamed "Shinehah,"*** 
 while awaiting further developments in Missouri, "the land of 
 Zion." Workshops, mills, and public buildings were erected, 
 and various industries established. 
 
 8. Expulsion from Jadkson County. 
 
 In the midst of this prosperity, Oliver Cowdery arrived in 
 Kirtland, in the beginning of September, 1833, a messenger 
 from the Saints in Missouri, bringing the sad news of the 
 serious disturbances and persecutions in Jackson county. 
 
 There were now about twelve hundred Saints in Missouri, 
 which number was being augmented constantly by immigra- 
 tion. They had improved their purchased lands, established 
 industries, reaped rich harvests; they had a paper called the 
 Evening and Morning Star, edited by W. W. Phelps, established 
 in June, 1832; Parley P. Pratt presided over a school of sixty 
 elders, and the gospel was being preached to the people there- 
 abouts with success. The Saints were thrifty, industrious, 
 tended their own affairs; in short, "minded their own business," 
 a standard creed with the "Mormons." They doubtless had 
 faults, and some were indiscreet. Blinded by their own ideas, 
 perhaps others said things that were not wise, gave utterance 
 to sentiments which offended the people not of their faith; 
 but where such was the case, it was in violation of the teachings 
 
 *See Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 88 to 92. 
 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 90:6; "History of the Church," Vol. 1, p. 334. 
 ***Doctrine and Covenants, Section 104:21 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 45 
 
 of their religion which inculcates the principles of living at 
 peace with all men. They were law-abiding and peaceable 
 citizens. 
 
 There being no law that would rid the country thereabouts 
 of the Latter-day Saints, it was wickedly determined by their 
 enemies that this should be done without law. As early as 
 April of this year, a meeting was called to devise means as 
 to the best way to dispose of the "Mormons." That gather- 
 ing was unsuccessful, but another, held about the middle of 
 July, succeeded. At this meeting in Independence, some three 
 hundred persons met to devise a plan for expelling the Saints. 
 They signed a declaration accusing the "Mormons" of blas- 
 phemy, pretensions to miracles, and healing the sick, casting 
 out devils, and tampering with the negro slaves and the Indians, 
 and declaring the Indian country to be theirs by heavenly in- 
 heritance. Later, at a meeting of five hundred of the mob, on 
 the 20th, the above charges were reiterated, others being added, 
 and it was resolved that they leave the country forthwith, 
 that no "Mormon" be allowed to settle there in the future, and 
 that the printing of the Star be suspended. A committee was 
 appointed to inform the leaders of this decision. The latter 
 asked for time to consider. This only aroused the fury of the 
 mob, who immediately gathered around the printing office, 
 tore it down and scattered the material through the street. 
 Other outrages followed. Bishop Partridge was covered with 
 tar and feathers, and others of the Saints were threatened and 
 abused. Clergymen and other prominent citizens took part 
 in these lawless acts. Lieutenant-Governor Linburn W. Boggs 
 said to some of the "Mormons:" "You now know what our 
 Jackson county boys can do, and you must leave the country." 
 
 Three days after these outrages were committed, another 
 larger meeting was held, another committee chosen. Realiz- 
 ing that their liberties were lost, that it was useless to with- 
 stand the rioters, the Saints entered into a peace agreement 
 with the mob. They would leave the country one half of 
 them on January 1, 1834, and the remainder on April 1. The 
 Star would be suspended; immigration would cease. In return 
 for these concessions, the mob committee agreed, and the 
 action was ratified by the meeting, that the Saints should be 
 molested no more. 
 
46 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 This was, in substance, the message that Oliver Cowdery 
 carried to Kirtland. In reply, the Prophet sent an epistle and 
 messengers to comfort and advise the people in their unfortu- 
 nate circumstances, but when they arrived in Missouri, in the 
 latter part of September, they found that the mob had broken 
 its pledge, and fresh outrages against the Saints were in 
 progress. 
 
 "The 'Mormons' must go," was the general cry. The 
 Saints appealed to the State executive for military aid in vain. 
 That functionary advised them to try the law. Following his 
 advice brought only disaster. It was like applying fire to 
 powder. Soon the whole country arose in arms to make war 
 upon the unfortunate, peculiar people. It was on the 30th 
 and 31st of October and the 1st of November that the most 
 furious attacks were made. Men were beaten, houses unroofed, 
 property destroyed, women and children driven screaming 
 into the wilderness. 
 
 Four of the Saints went to a circuit judge for a peace 
 warrant, but were told that it would not be issued for fear of 
 the mob. The judge advised them to "shoot down" the out- 
 laws, if these came again upon them. At the next onslaught, 
 the Saints prepared to carry out this advice, notwithstanding 
 their repugnance to the taking of human life. On the 4th 
 of November a battle ensued. One "Mormon" was killed, 
 several were wounded, and two mobbers bit the dust. A gen- 
 eral "Mormon" "uprising" was now heralded abroad. On 
 November 5, Lieutenant-Governor Boggs ordered out the 
 militia to suppress the alleged insurrection. This only made 
 matters worse. The mob was permitted to obtain what had 
 been denied to the Saints the militia. Boggs permitted the 
 mob to enroll themselves among the troops. He demanded 
 that the "Mormons" lay down their arms, and he seized a 
 number of them to be tried for murder, telling the remainder 
 to leave the country. To do this they had no time. Col. 
 Pitcher, afterward court-martialed for his cruelty, turned his 
 mob-militia upon the disarmed and helpless Saints; then fol- 
 lowed scenes beggaring description. "Armed bands of ruffians 
 ranged the country in every direction, bursting into houses, 
 terrifying women and children and threatening the defenseless 
 people with death if they did not instantly flee. Out upon the 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 47 
 
 bleak prairies, along the Missouri's banks, chilled by Novem- 
 ber's winds and drenched by pouring rains, hungry and shelter- 
 less, weeping and heart-broken, wandered forth the exiles. 
 Families scattered and divided, husbands seeking wives, wives 
 husbands, parents searching for their children, not knowing if 
 they were yet alive."* 
 
 Thus were between twelve and fifteen hundred souls ex- 
 pelled from their homes and possessions in Jackson county, 
 three hundred of their houses burned, ten settlements left 
 desolate. Most of the exiles found refuge in Clay county, just 
 across the river, where they were kindly received. 
 
 The highest authorities in the state and nation were asked 
 for redress, but the nation's executive could not interfere with- 
 out petition from the state authorities, and the state authori- 
 ties would do nothing, because they were either in fear of or 
 in sympathy with the mob. Leading, fair-minded citizens 
 regarded the outrage as a grave stain upon the name of Mis- 
 souri, but all in vain; to this day, without recompense, the 
 Saints remain dispossessed of their rightful inheritance in their 
 promised Zion. 
 
 9. High Council Organized. 
 
 In the latter part of November, messengers arrived in 
 Kirtland giving details of the outrages that had been committed 
 in Missouri. At this time, all was not peace in Kirtland. The 
 Prophet had been harassed with lawsuits, and fears were even 
 entertained for his life, so much so that trusty friends guarded 
 him night and day. There were various other annoyances, 
 among which may be mentioned the strife which Dr. Hurl- 
 burt, with his lying stories, succeeded in arousing by lecturing 
 in various places round about. This Dr. Hurlburt had been 
 excommunicated from the Church for immoral conduct; he 
 it was who originated the theory of connecting the Book of 
 Mormon with the Spaulding story, a theory now recognized 
 as false by the best authorities outside of the Church, and of 
 
 *Whitney's "History of Utah," Vol. 1, p. 108. 
 
48 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 course always known and declared to be false by members of 
 the Church.* 
 
 It was now decided to establish the printing press in Kirt- 
 land; Oliver Cowdery became editor of the Star. 
 
 On the 17th of February, 1834, an important step was 
 taken. On that day the first High Council of the Church was 
 organized.** It was composed of twelve High Priests, over 
 whom three others of the same order were to preside. There is 
 now (1920) a High Council in each of the eighty-three stakes 
 of Zion, each of which is presided over by the Presidency of the 
 stake*** three High Priests who are themselves amenable to 
 the First Presidency of the Church. 
 
 The duty of this council is to adjust difficulties between 
 members of the Church, which have been brought up on ap- 
 peal from the ward bishop's court by the "district" teachers, 
 or otherwise. The High Council has also original jurisdiction. 
 The council was appointed by revelation, and the object of 
 its organization is to prevent strife and disunion, to assist the 
 members of the Church to adjust their difficulties without cost- 
 ly litigation, which the Church leaders do not favor among 
 their followers. Excommunication from the Church is the ex- 
 treme penalty decreed by this council; while suspension from 
 membership, or from the privileges of Church communion, and, 
 in certain cases, excommunication is the greatest punishment 
 inflicted by the bishop's court. 
 
 The order of adjusting difficulties, then, in the Church 
 between members is this: If a person offend another, the per- 
 son so offended shall go alone to the one who gave offense, 
 and tell him of his fault; if the offender confess, the offended 
 
 "President James H. Fairchild, in the "New York Observer," of February 5, 1885, 
 speaking of the discovery by Mr. Rice of the Spaulding Romance, says: "The theory of the 
 origin of the Book of Mormon in the traditional manuscript of Solomon Spaulding will 
 probably have to be relinquished. Mr. Rice, myself and others compared it (the Spaulding 
 manuscript) with the Book of Mormon, and could detect no resemblance between the two 
 in general or detail. There seems to be no name or incident common to the two. Some 
 other explanation of the origin of the Book of Mormon must be found if any explanation 
 is required." 
 
 For a complete history of the "Manuscript Found," see statements of President Joseph 
 F. Smith, "ImprotemtntEra," Vol. 3, pp. 241, 377, 451. 
 
 **For the names of the High Priests composing this Council, and the duties of High 
 Councils in general, see Doctrine and Covenants, Section 102. 
 
 ***A "stake" is a division of the Church presided over by a Council of three High 
 Priests; a "ward" is a division of a stake, in which a bishop and his two counselors exercise 
 supervision; a "district" is a subdivision of a ward in which presiding teachers look after 
 the interests of Church members. There are at present 84.2 wards in the Church, 48 
 independent branches, and 22 missions, (1920.) 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 49 
 
 shall be reconciled; if not, then witnesses shall be taken, and 
 if still there is no reconciliation, then the matter may be taken 
 to the bishop's court for settlement. From this court either 
 party may make an appeal to the High Council, whose decision 
 is final, and if not complied with results in the guilty party 
 losing his standing in the Church.* An appeal, under certain 
 circumstances, may be made from this council's decision to the 
 Presidency of the Church. 
 
 10. Zion's Camp. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1834, Parley P. Pratt and Lyman 
 Wight, messengers from the Saints in Missouri, came to Kirt- 
 land to counsel with the Prophet regarding the exiled people 
 of Zion, and, if possible, adopt some measure for their relief 
 and the restoration of their rights. The result of their visit 
 was a further mission East, for reasons set forth in the 101st 
 and 103rd sections of the Doctrine and Covenants; and finally, 
 the assembling of about two hundred men, with twenty wagons 
 laden with supplies, to carry provisions to the Saints in Mis- 
 souri, to reinforce and strengthen them, and if possible to in- 
 fluence the Governor to restore to them their rights. They 
 were also to "redeem Zion," or, in other words, seek to regain 
 possession of the lands from which they had been driven in 
 Jackson county. This company of men were organized as a 
 military body, led by the Prophet in person, as general, and 
 was known as Zion's Camp. 
 
 On the 5th of May, one hundred men departed from Kirt- 
 land for Missouri, and the remainder, to the number of two 
 hundred and five, were recruited on the way. Composed of the 
 young and middle-aged men the strength of the branches of the 
 Church in the East there were many elders in this expedi- 
 tion who afterwards became pillars of great strength in the 
 Church. Among the most prominent of these may be named 
 Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, Orson 
 Pratt, Jedediah M. Grant and George A. Smith. 
 
 The news of their coming, supplemented with exaggerated 
 reports of their strength and intentions, created considerable 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Section 42, verses 88 to 91. Roberts' "Ecclesiastical History," 
 pp. 352-354. Matt. 18:15-17. 
 
50 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 excitement in Missouri. Their enemies armed to attack them. 
 One night on Fishing River, the Camp was saved from their 
 foes by a severe storm which swelled the. stream so that it be- 
 came impassable. Military aid was sought from the Governor, 
 who at first seems to have promised to call out the militia to 
 reinstate the exiles, but afterward said that he had no authority 
 to keep a force to protect them after they were restored; which, 
 in other words, meant a refusal to do anything for them. After- 
 ward, prominent citizens visited the Camp, and learned that the 
 Prophet's intentions were peaceable. He only wished to am- 
 icably adjust the difficulties between the county and his fol- 
 lowers. 
 
 Among the members of the Camp, at one time, dissen- 
 sions arose, and for their disobedience and rebellions the 
 Prophet severely reprimanded some of them, predicting that 
 a scourge would come upon the Camp because of their folly. 
 On the 22nd of June, cholera broke out in their midst, in ful- 
 filment of his prediction. Sixty-eight were attacked, thirteen 
 men died.* 
 
 At Rush Creek, on the 25th of June, the Camp was dis- 
 banded, having apparently accomplished nothing of impor- 
 tance. Negotiations were entered into between the "Mor- 
 mon" leaders and the men of Jackson county. The latter offer- 
 ed to purchase the land from which the Saints had been driven, 
 but the "Mormons" declined, deeming it sacrilege to dispose of 
 their "sacred inheritance." Then the Saints made a counter 
 proposal to purchase the land of those who did not wish to 
 live neighbors to them in peace, promising that it would be 
 paid for within a year. This offer their opponents rejected, 
 intimating that it would be better for them to look for a new 
 home in the wilderness beyond the distant county of Clinton. 
 
 For their possessions in Jackson county, the Saints re- 
 ceived nothing but threats and beatings. In Clay, they found 
 a peaceful home where they prospered for about three years, 
 during which time affairs in Kirtland were shaping for rich 
 spiritual blessings, as well as for the fearful financial crash and 
 apostasy of 1837, which came near culminating in the destruc- 
 tion of the Church. 
 
 *See "History Wilford Woodruff," pp. 37-45. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 51 
 
 The Prophet and his associates returned to Kirtland on 
 the 9th of July, 1834, after having organized, on the 3rd inst., 
 a High Council in Clay county, with a Stake Presidency to 
 take charge of Church affairs in Missouri.* 
 
 11. Apostles and Seventies Chosen. 
 
 If it be conceded that Zion's Camp failed in accomplishing 
 the ostensible purposes for which it was organized, it cannot be 
 denied that it was a success in trying the mettle of its members. 
 A journey of over two thousand miles on foot, in rain and mud, 
 exposed to sickness and death, is sufficient to prove the tem- 
 perament, courage and fortitude of any person who may en- 
 gage in it. Possibly this was one of the objects the Prophet had 
 in view, as might be inferred from the next important measure 
 which he was inspired to adopt the choosing of the Twelve 
 Apostles, the quorum next in authority to the First Presidency. 
 
 On the 14th of February, 1835, the survivors of Zion's 
 Camp were called together, and from their numbers were 
 chosen, by the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, Twelve 
 Apostles, each of whom was blessed and set apart by the First 
 Presidency, the whole being in conformity with the word of 
 the Lord received as early as June, 1829.** 
 
 The names of the quorum of Twelve were: Thomas B. 
 Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, 
 Orson Hyde, Wm. E. McLellin, Parley P. Pratt, Luke Johnson, 
 William Smith, Orson Pratt, John F. Boynton and Lyman 
 Johnson. These were chosen as special witnesses to preach the 
 gospel to the nations of the earth, and the duty of the quorum, 
 besides, was, as it is now, to build up the Church, to regulate 
 its affairs under the First Presidency, to ordain and set in order 
 all the officers in the Church, and to call upon the Seventy to 
 assist them to fill calls for preaching and administering the 
 gospel. They form a quorum equal in authority and power 
 to the First Presidency, and stand next to them in presiding. * * * 
 
 *The Stake Presidency were: David Whitmer, Wm. W. Phelps and John Whitmer. 
 The members of the High Council: Simeon Carter, Parley P. Pratt, William E. McLellin, 
 Calvin Beebe, Levi Jackman, Solomon Hancock, Christian Whitmer, Newel Knight, 
 Orson Pratt, Lyman Wight, Thomas B. Marsh and John Murdock. 
 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 18:27-29, 37. 
 
 ***Doctrine and Covenants, Section 107, verses 23 to 40 and 58, in which section is also 
 found information regarding the duties and powers of the various councils and quorums 
 of the Priesthood that govern the temporal and spiritual affairs of the Church. 
 
52 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Soon after the organization of the Twelve, the First and 
 Second quorums of Seventies were likewise chosen from the 
 surviving members of Zion's Camp. "These quorums, as could 
 be inferred from their being called Seventies' quorums, consist 
 of seventy men. Seven presidents preside over each quorum, 
 and the first seven presidents the presidents of the first 
 quorum preside over all the quorums of Seventies in the 
 Church."* Up to August, 1917, there had been one hundred 
 and ninety-five quorums of this class organized in the Church, 
 there were two hundred and two, in April, 1920, and the or- 
 ganization of more will continue, if it be required, "even until 
 there are one hundred and forty and four thousand thus set 
 apart for the ministry."** 
 
 Early in May, the Twelve started upon their first mission 
 to the Eastern states. The duties devolving upon them were 
 to preach, baptize, advise the scattered Saints to gather west- 
 ward; and to collect means for the purchase of lands in Missouri, 
 and for the completion of the Kirtland temple. 
 
 About this time, various secular and religious schools were 
 established, which were widely attended by the leading elders. 
 In the winter of 1835-36, Mr. Joshua Seixas conducted a class 
 in Greek, concerning the progress of which Joseph said that 
 the Lord had opened their minds in a -marvelous manner to 
 understand his word in the original language. The Prophet had 
 great taste for education, and, though unlearned at first, at 
 the age of thirty, he became quite proficient in language, philo- 
 sophy and statesmanship.*** He was ever a staunch friend 
 of progress and enlightenment, which may with equal truth 
 be said of his successors, and the leaders of the Church in 
 general, though the enemies of "Mormonism" aver the con- 
 trary, often asserting that the system fosters ignorance and is 
 opposed to education. The educational precepts of the Prophet, 
 which have become mottoes-in-practice with every Latter- 
 day Saint, give the lie to their assertions: "It is impossible N to 
 be saved in ignorance," "A man is saved no faster than he 
 gets knowledge;" "The glory of God is intelligence;" "Seek 
 
 *Roberts" "Outlines of Ecclesiastical History," p. 337. 
 **So writes the Prophet Joseph, under date of May 1, 1835. 
 ^^Improvement Era, Vol. 23, April, 1920, p. 560-75; May, p. 646; June, p. 701. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 53 
 
 ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning even 
 by study and also by faith." 
 
 It was about this time that the "Book of Abraham," 
 printed subsequently in the Pearl of Great Price, was translated 
 from papyrus found in the catacombs of Egypt.* On August 
 17, 1835, the book of "Doctrine and Covenants" was present- 
 ed to the general assembly of the Church at Kirtland, called 
 to consider the labors of a committee appointed the year be- 
 fore to compile the revelations now contained in the "Doc- 
 trine and Covenants." The committee, consisting of Joseph 
 Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery and Frederick 
 G. Williams, deemed it proper to have the work approved by 
 the authorities of the Church, that the revelations might thus 
 become a law and rule of faith and practice to the Church. 
 The several gathered authorities, as well as the general as- 
 sembly, approved their labors and accepted and acknowledged 
 the book as the doctrine and covenants of their faith, by unan- 
 imous vote.** The views of the Church on governments and 
 laws in general (Doctrine and Covenants, 134) were, at the 
 same time, accepted, adopted and ordered printed in the book. 
 
 Immediately upon the return of the members of Zion's 
 Camp, the work on the temple in Kirtland, which had been 
 hindered by their absence, was prosecuted with vigor and 
 zeal, the Saints being anxious to receive the spiritual blessings 
 which had been promised them upon the completion of the 
 House of the Lord.*** The Prophet supervised the work, 
 while leading elders joined in pushing it to completion. It was 
 finally dedicated on the 27th of March, 1836, though not en- 
 tirely finished in the interior. Three years had been spent in 
 its construction, which had cost about $70,000. It was the 
 first temple in modern times built by divine command. At 
 that time the ordinance of baptism for the dead, with other 
 
 *"On the 3rd of July, 1835, Michael H. Chandler came to Kirtland to exhibit some 
 Egyptian mummies. There were four human figures, together with some two or more 
 rolls <ft papyrus covered with hieroglyphic figures and devices." . . . "Soon after this, 
 some of the Saints in Kirtland purchased the mummies and the papyrus, and with W. W. 
 Phelps and Oliver Cowdery as scribes, I commenced the translation of some of the charac- 
 ters, or hieroglyphics, and much to our joy found that one of the rolls contained the writ- 
 ings of Abraham, another the writings of Joseph of Egypt, etc., a more full account of 
 which will appear in its place, as I proceed to examine or unfold them." "History of the 
 Church," Vol. II, pp. 235-236. 
 
 **"History of the Church," Vol. 2, pp. 243-251. 
 ***Doctrine and Covenants, Section 105:12-18; also section 38:32. 
 
54 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 vicarious work, one of the chief objects of temple-building 
 with the Saints at present, had not been revealed. For that 
 reason there was no baptismal font in the Kirtland temple. 
 The main purpose of its erection was that other religious or- 
 dinances might be performed therein, and that there might be 
 a House of the Lord in which spiritual blessings could be re- 
 ceived, a place also for schools, meetings and councils of the 
 Priesthood. 
 
 Upon the day of its dedication,* there was a time of gen- 
 eral rejoicing, and thereafter many miraculous manifestations 
 were witnessed therein,** some of which are named in the 
 110th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, and are in ful- 
 filment of the words of the Prophet Malachi, as recorded in his 
 4th chapter. Some time after the dedication, according to the 
 words of the Lord, the Twelve Apostles held the "Solemn 
 Assembly," were endowed with power from on high, and re- 
 ceived their "washings and anointings." 
 
 12. Departure from Clay County Kirtland Apostasy 
 and Failure English Mission. 
 
 Returning now to Missouri: After their expulsion from 
 Jackson county the Saints were received with some degree of 
 kindness in Clay, where for about three years their industry 
 and thrift caused the wilderness to blossom with abundance. 
 Their numbers were greatly enlarged by immigrations from the 
 East. It was considered, however, a temporary home, since 
 they hoped to be reinstated in the lands from which they had 
 been driven. 
 
 Until the summer of 1836 there had been no objection to 
 them. They were peaceable, industrious, attended to their 
 own affairs. But at that time, the spirit of mobocracy reap- 
 peared, wakened from its temporary slumber by the men of 
 Jackson, who began crossing the river in squads to stir up strife 
 and enmity. They even insulted and plundered their victims. 
 The peaceable people of Clay, fearing a repetition of former 
 difficulties, held a meeting in which they decided to advise the 
 
 *For the dedicatory prayer, see Doctrine and Covenants, Section 109. 
 **See Jensen's "Historical Record," pp. 64-5 and 74-80, 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 55 
 
 Saints to seek another home. This they did, having first re- 
 minded them under what circumstances they were received. 
 There were objections to them, but these were mostly of a 
 trivial character. Their dialect, manners and customs, were 
 not like those of the Missourians, and it was even charged that 
 they were non-slave holders or abolitionists. The state govern- 
 ment was unfavorable to them. For his hostility to the Saints 
 in their former trouble, Boggs had been made Governor of 
 Missouri; and their most bitter enemies Lucas and Wilson 
 were given commissions as Major and Brigadier-General. It 
 appeared now that the great majority of citizens in the 
 state had joined with these officers in the determination that 
 the "Mormons" should be prevented from enjoying any politi- 
 cal, civil or religious rights, and they unitedly conspired to war 
 against them as members of the commonwealth. 
 
 Viewing the situation aright, under these circumstances, 
 the Saints now resolved, for the sake of friendship, to remain 
 in a covenant of peace with the citizens of Clay county, and to 
 show gratitude to those who had befriended them, to leave the 
 county, notwithstanding this action involved an enormous 
 sacrifice of property. 
 
 In September, 1836, they accordingly began moving to 
 their new location in the Shoal Creek region, then a wilderness 
 in Ray county, northeast of Clay. In December of the same 
 year, in answer to their petitions, this district was incorporated 
 by the legislature, and thus was Caldwell county created. 
 To this place, the Saints removed in large numbers, nearly all 
 of them becoming land-holders; and it was there they founded 
 the city of Far West, in the winter of 1836-7, which afterward 
 became the county seat. Most of the officers of the city and 
 county, elected according to the law, were "Mormons." In 
 this new home, the exiles found a peaceful rest for a season, 
 their numbers rapidly increasing until settlements were also 
 made in the adjoining county of Daviess and elsewhere. 
 
 Reverting again to the Church in the East: Following the 
 wonderful spiritual manifestations enjoyed in the temple, 
 there swept over Kirtland a wave of inflation, mistaken for 
 temporal prosperity, which turned the heads of her inhabitants. 
 A spirit of speculation permeated the whole community, 
 playing havoc with the faith of the Saints and many of their 
 
56 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 leaders. All kinds of schemes were adopted to amass wealth, 
 and the spirit of real estate speculation, so prevalent through- 
 out the nation, took deep root in the Church. As a result, 
 there followed in quick succession, evil surmisings, fault- 
 finding, disunion, dissensions, apostasy, and finally financial 
 ruin. The Kirtland Safety Society Bank, established by 
 Joseph for the benefit and advantage of the Saints, failed 
 through the speculation, swindling and treachery of subor- 
 dinate officers. The crash became general and many of the 
 people were utterly ruined financially. 
 
 Apostasy followed. The disaffected members became 
 bitterly hostile to the Prophet, as if he were the cause of the 
 very evils which he struggled most to avoid, and which were 
 brought upon the people because they would not heed his 
 counsels. About one-half of the apostles, one of the first 
 presidency, and many leading elders disloyally declared him 
 to be a "fallen prophet," and they themselves apostatized. 
 The Church seemed threatened with utter destruction. 
 
 It was on the 1st of June, 1837, while these radical dis- 
 turbances were in progress, that the Lord revealed to Joseph 
 that something must be done for the salvation of the Church. 
 Up to this time, there had been no missionaries sent to foreign 
 lands. Proselyting had been confined to the Eastern states, 
 to Canada and a narrow district in the west. Now it was 
 determined to open a mission in England. Elder Heber C. 
 Kimball of the Council of the Twelve was chosen to pioneer 
 this work, his assistant and companion apostle being Elder 
 Orson Hyde. Elder Willard Richards was called later, 
 and together they sailed from New York on the 1st day of 
 July, 1837. to fill their mission. They were instructed to preach 
 only the first principles of the gospel, which they did with 
 much success. In less than a year they had organized twenty- 
 six branches of the Church, with a membership of about two 
 thousand souls. Throngs came to hear them, and whole vil- 
 lages were converted at a sweep. The opening of this mission 
 was one of the most important events in the history of the 
 Church a grand movement destined, in the years soon follow- 
 ing, to bring about 75,000 souls into its folds from England 
 alone, and emigrate them to America. On their return, the 
 apostles landed in New York on the 12th day of May, 1838. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 57 
 
 There they found a large branch of the Church which had been 
 erected through the efforts of Parley P. Pratt and his brother 
 Orson, the former having there published his celebrated work, 
 the "Voice of Warning," the year before. 
 
 But while the cause was thus prospering over the .waters, 
 in Kirtland flourished the destroying agencies of apostasy, 
 persecution, confusion and mobocracy. 
 
 The Church in Missouri did not entirely escape the dis- 
 affection. The local leaders lost the confidence of the people, 
 necessitating a hurried visit of the Prophet to Far West, where 
 he arrived November 1, 1837. Having held a conference and 
 arranged affairs in Missouri, he returned to Kirtland about 
 December 10. It was during his absence that leading elders 
 in the latter place conspired to overthrow him, and to appoint 
 David Whitmer in his stead. Among them were several of 
 the apostles, and some of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. 
 Their schemes would have succeeded but for the fidelity and 
 loyalty of Brigham Young, who defended the Prophet, ex- 
 posed the evil designs of his enemies, and frustrated their plans. 
 John Taylor, also, later an apostle and the third President of 
 the Church, who had come from Canada to Kirtland in the 
 fall of 1837, stood loyal to the Church and to Joseph as loyal 
 as when, seven years after, he stood side by side with his Proph- 
 et leader, amid the bullet shower of Carthage Jail, or as, when 
 fifty years later, he died in cruel exile, a double martyr to the 
 truth 
 
 On the same grounds stood also the faithful veteran, 
 Wilford Woodruff, who also became the beloved leader of the 
 hosts of Israel. 
 
 At length, on December 22, Brigham Young, who persisted, 
 publicly and privately, in declaring Joseph a true prophet of 
 God, was forced to flee from Kirtland, in consequence of the 
 fury of the mobs. The new year opened with all the bitterness 
 of the spirit of apostate mobocracy, which continued until 
 the Prophet was compelled to seek safety in flight. He and 
 Elder Rigdon left Kirtland on the night of January 12, 1838, 
 and were joined the next day by their families. They were 
 followed more than two hundred miles by their armed pur- 
 suers, finally arriving in Far West on the 14th of March, 1838. 
 
58 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 III. 
 
 FROM THE MISSOURI EXODUS TO THE 
 MARTYRDOM 1838-1844. 
 
 1. Banished from Missouri Founding of Nauvoo. 
 
 The Prophet's flight was the signal for a general migra- 
 tion of the Saints from Ohio. The Kirtland Camp, composed 
 of over five hundred souls, soon thereafter made its way west. 
 
 The Saints in Missouri now numbered upwards of twelve 
 thousand souls, most of whom were located in Caldwell, al- 
 though there were thriving settlements in Daviess and Carroll 
 counties. Adam-ondi-Ahman, * where the Kirtland Saints 
 rested, and a stake of Zion was afterward organized, was the 
 chief settlement in Daviess, and Dewitt, in Carroll. 
 
 There were some divisions among the Saints when Joseph 
 arrived, and vigorous measures were instituted to purge the 
 Church of its disaffected members. At a Far West conference, 
 a number of prominent men among them Oliver Cowdery, 
 David Whitmer and the Johnsons were excommunicated. 
 Following this action, peace and prosperity again reigned. 
 Several instructive revelations were received about this time, 
 among which is one concerning the building of a temple at 
 Far West, others about the duties of the apostles and their 
 mission across the great waters, and the law of tithing.** For 
 a few months, the Prophet spent his time in literary labors, 
 enjoying peace with his people, instructing them, planning 
 for their temporal and spiritual welfare. 
 
 About this time Joseph declared that the Lord had made 
 known to him that Adam had dwelt in America, and that 
 "three years previous to the death of Adam he called Seth, 
 Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch and Methuselah, 
 who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity, who 
 were righteous, into the Valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and 
 there bestowed upon them his last blessing. . . . predicted 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants Section 116; also Daniel 7:9-14. 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 113, 119, 120. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 59 
 
 whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest gen- 
 eration."* 
 
 The lull of peace was only temporary, it was a calm be- 
 fore the storm. On the nation's birthday, 1838, a grand cele- 
 bration was held at Far West, in which thousands of Saints 
 participated. On that day, the foundation stones of a temple 
 were laid a temple, however, destined not to be completed. 
 Sidney Rigdon, the orator of the day, portrayed the suffer- 
 ings of the Saints, showing how their rights had 'been trampled 
 upon; and, in a moment of enthusiasm, exclaimed: "We take 
 God to witness, and the holy angels to witness this day, that 
 we warn all men in the name of Jesus Christ to come on us no 
 more forever. The man or the set of men who attempt it, do 
 it at the expense of their lives; and the mob that comes on us 
 to disturb us, there shall be between us and them a war of 
 extermination." His remarks were doubtless impolitic, but 
 the provocation, and the enthusiasm of the day, should be 
 considered as extenuating conditions. 
 
 The lightning, which a day or two thereafter shivered 
 their liberty pole, was like a precursor of the slumbering storm 
 of human hate, which was about to burst forth in pitiless fury 
 over the unfortunate Saints. It was an augury of the destruc- 
 tion of their own liberty. 
 
 As in Jackson county, so here, the people feared the political 
 rule of the "Mormons."** The latter claimed their political 
 rights the right to vote for their friends. This was denied 
 to them, and the result was a conflict which ended in their 
 wholesale expulsion from the state of Missouri, in midwinter, 
 in the midst of outrage, robbery, massacre and suffering in- 
 describable. 
 
 The trouble began at Gallatin, Daviess county, on the 
 6th of August, 1838. Twelve "Mormons" there tried to vote, 
 the state election being then in progress. William P. Peniston, 
 a candidate for the legislature, harangued a crowd against them. 
 A tumult ensued. The "Mormons" cast their ballots, but 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Section 107:53-56. 
 
 **"Right or wrong, law or no law, and whether in accord with the letter or spirit of 
 the constitution or government of the United States or not, the people of Missouri had de- 
 termined that they would go any length before they would allow the Saints to obtain 
 political ascendency in that quarter." Bancroft's "Utah," p. 117. 
 
60 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 several of them, as well as a number of their opponents, were 
 wounded. 
 
 Reports of this trouble were exaggerated, and became a 
 pretext for a general anti-' 'Mormon" uprising in the several 
 counties. Threats were openly made and published, to drive 
 the "Mormons" from the state. The conservative action of a 
 number of leading citizens, in signing a covenant of peace with 
 the leaders of the Church, had no effect in calming the dis- 
 turbance. The Missourians were in for war. Several hundred 
 of the mob gathered in Daviess and Caldwell counties, some 
 painted and disguised as Indians. The Saints were plundered, 
 fired upon, and taken prisoners on false charges. There were 
 housebreakings and other depredations, until the situation be- 
 came unbearable. Driven to this extremity, the Prophet now 
 no longer counseled peace and submission, but bade his fol- 
 lowers protect themselves, their homes and little ones. The 
 Saints armed to defend themselves, but were driven from 
 Diahman, afterward from Dewitt, and from the outlying settle- 
 ments in Caldwell, to Far West. 
 
 Col. Wight, a "Mormon" commissioned by General Parks 
 of the state militia, organized a command, and, making vig- 
 orous war upon the marauders, succeeded in driving the enemy 
 from Daviess county. This, of course, only served to swell the 
 excitement. 
 
 Then came the Crooked River battle, fought on the 25th 
 day of October. Captain David W. Patten* led a force of Far 
 West militia which attacked a band of marauders under Cap- 
 tain Bogart. The "Mormons" were victorious. Captain 
 Patten and two of his men, however, were killed, while the 
 enemy lost one man. The excitement, already at fever heat, 
 now became intense. Governor Boggs who, when appealed 
 to on a former occasion, when the mob were victorious in 
 plundering the Saints, had remarked that the quarrel was 
 between the "Mormons" and the mob, and that they might 
 "fight it out," now that the "Mormons" were successfully 
 
 *David Wyman Patten, born in Vermont about the year 1800, ordained one of the 
 twelve apostles, Sunday, February 15, 1835; appointed one of the presidents pro tern, of 
 the Church in Missouri, on Saturday, February 10, 1838; fatally wounded at a battle 
 with the mob, on Crooked River, Ray county, Missouri, on Thursday, October 25, 1838 ; 
 and buried at Far West on the Saturday following. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 61 
 
 defending themselves, changed his tactics, and saw his chance 
 to wreak vengeance upon them. On October 27, he issued an 
 order to Major-General Clark, commanding the state forces, 
 to proceed in all haste against the "Mormons." They "must 
 be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven 
 from the state if necessary, for the public good In- 
 stead, therefore, of proceeding as at first directed, to reinstate 
 the citizens of Daviess in their homes, you will proceed im- 
 mediately to operate against the 'Mormons.' ' "Thus it ap- 
 pears that the Missouri state militia," says Bancroft, "called 
 out in the first instance to assist the state militia in quelling a 
 Missouri mob, finally joins the mob against the 'Mormon' 
 militia. And this, notwithstanding the Saints were in no wise 
 opposed to the state, to law and to order. They were simply 
 defending themselves by permission of the state." 
 
 At Richmond, two thousand troops under Major-General 
 Samuel D. Lucas and Brigadier-General Moses Wilson were 
 massed, and in the latter part of October departed for Far 
 West. Elsewhere their commander, General Clark, was mus- 
 tering an army for the same purpose. 
 
 On October 30, the frightful massacre of "Mormons" 
 at Haun's Mill was perpetrated. A score of unoffending people, 
 men, women and children, lately arrived emigrants from the 
 east, were cruelly killed and their bodies thrown into a well. 
 This was done by a company of two hundred and forty men 
 commanded by one Nehemiah Comstock. 
 
 On the same day, Far West was beleaguered by the troops. 
 Not having heard of the Governor's exterminating order, 
 owing to the stoppage of their mails, the residents of the doomed 
 city prepared to defend themselves, thinking the besiegers 
 were a military mob. 
 
 It was at this critical juncture that Col. George M. Hinkle, 
 commander of the "Mormon" forces, betrayed the Saints into 
 the hands of their enemies by making an agreement with the 
 besieging generals in effect as follows: 
 
 The "Mormons" were to be disarmed, and their leaders 
 were to be delivered up for trial and punishment. A deed of 
 trust was to be executed pledging all "Mormon" property for 
 the payment of the entire cost of the war. The "Mormons" 
 
62 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 as a body, except the prisoners, were forthwith to leave 
 state. 
 
 These arrangements, made without the knowledge or 
 consent of Hinkle's associates, or the leaders of the Church, 
 were promptly, though cruelly, on the part of the militia, car- 
 ried into effect. Pretending to have arranged a conference 
 between the "Mormon" leaders and the generals, Col. Hinkle, 
 on the 31st of October, without informing the former of his 
 compact, delivered to General Lucas the following persons 
 who were then treated as prisoners of war: Joseph Smith, 
 Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, George W. 
 Robinson, Hyrum Smith and Amasa M. Lyman. On November 
 1, a courtmartial was held, when the prisoners were ordered 
 shot at 8 o'clock the next morning, but General Doniphan 
 protested in the name of humanity, and the sentence was not 
 executed. Instead, General Lucas took them on a parade 
 through the neighboring counties. 
 
 At the point of the bayonet, the Saints were compelled 
 to sign away their property. Not alone this, but the city was 
 given into the hands of the allied soldiers and marauders who 
 plundered property, and committed horrid, nameless crimes 
 upon the defenseless citizens. 
 
 General Clark appeared upon the scene on the 4th of 
 November, approving all that had been done. Calling a mass 
 meeting, he read to the Saints his famous address in which he 
 referred to the Governor's exterminating order, and his de- 
 termination to see that it was executed, declared that the Saints 
 must leave, and that they need never expect to see the faces of 
 their leaders again, "for their doom is sealed."* He then or- 
 dered fifty additional men to be taken prisoners, all of whom 
 were shortly thereafter liberated. Joseph Smith and his brother 
 Hyrum, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Parley P. Pratt, and 
 a few others, were committed to jail, as a result of the trial in 
 Richmond, the charges against them being murder, arson, 
 treason, in addition to nearly all other crimes on the calendar.** 
 
 *For a copy of the document, see "Autobiography of Parley P.Pratt," p. 225; also 
 Whitney's "History of Utah," Vol. I, p. 162. 
 
 **One evidence of their treason, as cited in open court, was their avowed belief in the 
 prophecy of Daniel Chapters 2 and 7 relative to the setting up of the Latter-day king- 
 dom of God. . . . Their murders were the battles and skirmishes they had had with the 
 mob. The depredations and deeds of blood committed by the Missourians against the 
 'Mormons' apparently cut no figure in the case." Whitney's "History of Utah," Vol. I, 
 p. 163. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 63 
 
 It was impossible for their friends to do anything to assist 
 them, owing to the existing prejudice. Their attorney, Gen- 
 era! Doniphan, had said: "Offer no defense; for if a cohort of 
 angels should declare your innocence it would be all the same. 
 The judge is determined to throw you into prison." 
 
 While the trial lasted, from the llth to the 28th of Novem- 
 ber, in prison they were compelled to listen for days and nights 
 to the vile stories of the guards, who delighted to taunt them 
 with repetitions of the murders and rapes committed in Far 
 West. One night the Prophet arose, after hearing all he could 
 endure of these filthy tales; in his chains he stood erect in 
 terrible majesty, and in a voice of thunder rebuked the quailing 
 guards who, crouching at his feet with weapons on the ground, 
 begged his pardon, and were silent.* 
 
 Elder Rigdon was at length released on bail, and forced 
 to flee for his life, while Joseph, Hyrum, Lyman Wight, Alex- 
 ander McRae and Caleb Baldwin were removed to Liberty 
 Jail, Clay county (the others remaining at Richmond), where 
 they spent the winter of 1838-9. It was in this jail that Joseph 
 wrote the remarkable prayer, prophecies, and instructions 
 recorded in Sections 121, 122, and 123 of the Doctrine and 
 Covenants. 
 
 The Saints were left in the hands of the mob, who con- 
 tinued their depredations with increased bitterness, destroy- 
 ing property, burning houses, driving off stock, and insulting 
 defenseless women. 
 
 It did not seem possible that a community convicted of 
 no crime should be permitted to suffer as the Saints had done 
 under the Boggs' order, and under the enforced treaty depriving 
 them of their property, and yet find no redress. So thinking, 
 those among the "Mormon" leaders who had regained their 
 liberty addressed a memorial to the legislature of Missouri 
 setting forth the wrongs inflicted upon the Saints, praying 
 for a redress of grievances, and that the Governor's unlawful 
 and tyrannical order be rescinded. The only answer was a show 
 of help in a ridiculously small appropriation for their aid, 
 consumed mostly among the distributing officers. 
 
 The depredations continuing, it became painfully ap- 
 
 *See "Autobiography of Parley P, Pratt," p. 229, 
 
64 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 parent, in January, 1839, that there was no help for the Saints. 
 They were told plainly, both publicly and privately, that tfcey 
 must leave the state or be killed. Stripped of the accumula- 
 tions of years of toil, all that they owned gone, care-worn, 
 parts of families in prison, many without clothing or the neces- 
 sities of life, the only prospect before them was a mid-winter 
 exodus, they knew not where. 
 
 It was with the Church in this condition, the Prophet in 
 prison, that Brigham Young, President of the Twelve, taking 
 his position as leader, planned and carried into effect the exodus 
 of the Saints to Illinois. He and his brethren entered into 
 covenant to "stand by and assist each other to the utmost of 
 our abilities in removing from this state, and that we will never 
 desert the poor, who are worthy, till they shall be out of th,e 
 reach of the exterminating order of General Clark, acting for 
 and in the name of the state." It was faithfully kept by them, 
 and by the hundreds of others who signed it. 
 
 "That winter from ten to twelve thousand Latter-day 
 Saints," says Whitney, "men, women and children, still 
 hounded and pursued by their merciless oppressors, fled from 
 Missouri, leaving in places their bloody footprints in the snow 
 of their frozen pathway. Crossing the icy Mississippi they 
 cast themselves, homeless, plundered and penniless, upon the 
 hospitable shores of Illinois. There their pitiable condition 
 and the tragic story of their wrongs awoke widespread sym- 
 pathy and compassion, with corresponding sentiments of 
 indignation and abhorrence toward their persecutors." 
 
 Cheering them from his dungeon cell, the Prophet wrote: 
 "Zion shall yet live though she seemeth to be dead." 
 
 Escaping from Missouri by the tacit permission of their 
 drunken guards, Joseph and Hyrum joined their families at 
 Quincy, Illinois, on the 22nd day of April, 1839. As in other 
 parts of the state, the citizens of Quincy had extended sym- 
 pathy and welcome to the unfortunate Saints, who were made 
 to feel that they were in a place of refuge, temporary though 
 it might be. Thousands of dollars in clothing and provisions, 
 were donated to them by the citizens of Illinois; and while 
 they were doubtless classed as enemies, every popular senti- 
 ment, both in that state and in Iowa, was in favor of granting 
 them peace and protection. The governors of both states 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 65 
 
 were their friends. Two days after his arrival, it was decided 
 by a council that Joseph, Vinson Knight and Alonzo Ripley 
 should proceed to select a location for the Church. Already 
 the "Mormon" leaders, by the written counsel of the Prophet, 
 had made arrangements for land in the two states. Tracts 
 had been purchased in Keokuk, Iowa, forty miles above Quincy; 
 also in Nashville, six miles above Keokuk, and in Montrose, 
 Iowa, four miles above the latter place. Opposite Montrose, 
 just across the river, on the Illinois side, stood Commerce, 
 where Daniel H. Wells resided, of whom the Saints received 
 land on very cheap terms. On the 1st day of May, Joseph 
 made additional purchases in Commerce, and decided to locate 
 the headquarters of the Church there. Arriving with his 
 family on the 10th of May, he took up his abode in a small 
 log cabin on the banks of the river. The village was an in- 
 significant place with only six houses. Marshy, and covered 
 with trees and brush, it had an unhealthy climate, and was a 
 fit abiding place of malarial diseases. On this account the 
 New York company who had started the place were glad to 
 sell when the "Mormon" agents came. But the city's location 
 was beautiful, overlooking, as it did, the almost encircling 
 Mississippi. Because of the loveliness of its position the city 
 was rechristened, and the following year named Nauvoo, 
 signifying beauty and rest. 
 
 It was a marvelous undertaking to gather the scattered, 
 destitute and afflicted people, against whom Missouri had 
 committed such a monstrous crime, and establish them in 
 one spot; especially does it so appear when it is remembered 
 that the region around that spot was so sickly that few others 
 could endure its climate. But as in following years they were 
 assured that the waste desert should blossom at their bidding, 
 so now the Saints were given to understand that the blessing 
 of God would make their present location a fit habitation for 
 them. On this assurance, in their poverty and affliction, they 
 trustingly proceeded to build their homes anew. But at first, 
 they were balked by the deadly fevers. Scarcely a family was 
 exempt from sickness. The Prophet himself was prostrated, 
 but the Spirit of God rested powerfully upon him, and on the 
 22nd day of July he arose and went about administering to 
 the sick, commanding them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ 
 
66 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 to arise and be made whole. Many wonderful instances of 
 healing are recorded as a result of the faith of that day of 
 miracles. * 
 
 On account of the ravages of disease, and the labors con- 
 nected with the movement of the Saints, the Twelve had not 
 yet departed on their missions "across the great waters,"** 
 to which they had been called by revelation the year previous, 
 in Missouri. But they had taken leave of their brethren and 
 the city, on the Temple grounds at Far West, on April 26, 1839, 
 and had recommenced laying the foundation of the Temple, as 
 it had been declared by the Prophet the year previous*** that 
 they should. Having learned of this prophecy Captain Bogart 
 determined it should not be fulfilled, which doubtless accounts 
 for his cruelty in driving out of the state the few remaining 
 Saints whom he expelled about the middle of April. Evidently 
 he desired to make it impossible for them to fulfill the reve- 
 lation, but at 1 o'clock a. m., on the day named in the revela- 
 tion, seven of the Twelve met, held a conference, laid a cor- 
 ner stone of the Temple, ordained Wilf ord Woodruff and George 
 A.' Smith to the apostleship, severed thirty-one persons from 
 the Church, bade adieu to the city and the remaining Saints, 
 and were on their way to Illinois before their enemies had 
 arisen to renew their oath that the words of the Prophet should 
 go .unfulfilled. 
 
 During the summer and fall of 1839, Commerce arose like 
 a fairy from the marshes. It became a healthful and charming 
 abiding place. The Saints prospered marvelously in temporal 
 affairs, while their spiritual interests were nourished by the 
 wise counsels of the Prophet and his associates. Through their 
 teachings many sincere souls believed and joined the Church. 
 
 In August and September of this year, seven of the Twelve 
 apostles left for England to fill their missions, notwithstanding 
 a number of them and their families were still suffering from 
 the effects of sickness. While abroad, they were greatly pros- 
 pered, and the great missionary work, begun by Heber C. 
 Kimball and his associates, received fresh impetus by their 
 
 *See Cannon's "Life of Joseph Smith," p. 301. 
 **Doctrine and Covenants, Section 118:4; 114:1. 
 ***Doctrine and Covenants, Section 115:8-18; 118:5. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 67 
 
 arrival in Liverpool on the 6th of April, 1840. The Millennial 
 Star was established, five thousand copies of the Book of Mor- 
 mon were printed, besides three thousand hymn books and 
 fifty thousand tracts. The first emigrants, numbering over 
 one thousand souls, were forwarded to the Zion of the new 
 world, thus adding a new significance to the doctrine of the 
 gathering. A permanent shipping agency was established, 
 while over three thousand souls were added to the believers. 
 President Brigham Young, who had supervised the work, 
 returned to Nauvoo with some of his brethren, on the first 
 day of July, 1841. 
 
 In the meantime, the Prophet, soon after planting his 
 people in their new resting place, had taken steps to lay be- 
 fore the general Government the grievances of the driven Saints. 
 On the 29th of October, 1839, he left for Washington on this 
 business, arriving there, with his companion, Judge Elias 
 Higbee, on the 28th of November. Presenting themselves at 
 the White House the following day, they laid before Presi- 
 dent Van Buren the claims of the Saints against the state of 
 Missouri. He was at first averse to having anything to do with 
 them, remarking, "What can I do? I can do nothing for you. 
 If I do anything, I shall come in contact with the whole state 
 of Missouri." But they insisted on a hearing, and the Presi- 
 dent afterward modified his words, expressing sympathy for 
 the afflicted people, also a desire to hear an exposition of the 
 Prophet's religious views. Joseph explained the Gospel to 
 him, and bore a faithful testimony to the work of God. But 
 at a subsequent visit, the President treated him with insolence, 
 and after listening impatiently to his story made that remark- 
 able, now notorious, reply: "Your cause is just, but I can do 
 nothing for you; and if I take up for you, I shall lose the vote 
 of Missouri." Little wonder that the Prophet concluded that 
 the President was "an office seeker, that self-aggrandizement 
 was his ruling passion, and that justice and righteousness were 
 not part of his composition." 
 
 Joseph remained in the East during the winter, making 
 the acquaintance of many of the leading political lights in 
 the nation. To the tale of the persecutions of the Saints, 
 Senator John C. Calhoun remarked: "It involves a nice ques- 
 tion the question of states' rights; it will not do to agitate 
 
68 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 it." A rather strange answer, when subsequent events are 
 considered. Henry Clay remarked to the Prophet's story: 
 "You had better go to Oregon," a statement which then meant 
 out of the permanent reach of civilization, exiles from their 
 native country. The members of Congress from Illinois, 
 doubtless out of political policy (the "Mormons" would soon 
 hold the balance of power in Illinois), agreed to present a 
 memorial, a petition and documents to the Senate, setting 
 forth the sufferings and claims of the Saints. They did so, 
 but there the matter rested. Nothing was ever done, either 
 by the Executive or the Legislative department of the national 
 Government to call the state of Missouri to account for the 
 cruel wrongs it had inflicted upon the Latter-day Saints.* 
 
 Disgusted at length with the politicians whose ruling 
 principles, he discovered, were "popular clamor and personal 
 aggrandizement," instead of the peace and welfare of the whole 
 people, the Prophet left Washington for home, arriving in 
 Nauvoo, March 4, 1840. While absent, he had taken ad- 
 vantage of many opportunities to preach the gospel, having 
 addressed large audiences in Washington, in Chester county, 
 Pennsylvania (where he formed the acquaintance of Edward 
 Hunter, afterward presiding bishop of the Church), and in 
 the city of Philadelphia. 
 
 In the meantime, the cause was prospering in Nauvoo and 
 the region round about, under the presidency of Hyrum Smith. 
 There was now a population of about three thousand in the 
 city, with three ecclesiastical wards, which soon grew to twenty 
 thousand, with ten wards, and three additional in the farming 
 districts on the outside. 
 
 At this time the Saints again began to take an active in- 
 terest in politics a right which had brought upon them ser- 
 ious troubles in the past, and which was destined to overwhelm 
 them in the near future with untold sorrow; though for the 
 present, it was an important element in the peace and pros- 
 perity which smiled upon them. Holding the balance of power 
 in Illinois, their favor was widely sought by politicians. They 
 were the means of electing the celebrated Stephen A. Douglas 
 
 *The claims of 491 persons against Missouri, amounting to about one and one-half 
 million dollars, were presented by the Prophet with the memorial, all of which were referred 
 to the Committee on Judiciary, which finally reported adversely upon them. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 69 
 
 to the Senate. They voted for William Henry Harrison, the 
 successful Whig candidate for the Presidency, against Martin 
 Van Buren, the Democrat, evidently not so much because they 
 or their Prophet were Whigs, as that Van Buren was their 
 enemy. 
 
 With politics, immediately their arose the dark specter of 
 persecution. On the 15th of September, 1840, Governor 
 Lilburn W. Boggs of Missouri made a demand on Governor 
 Carlin of Illinois for the Prophet and some of the leading elders, 
 on the grounds that they were fugitives from justice. Consider- 
 able annoyance was thus caused, especially to Joseph, whose 
 aged father had died the day previous, but the Missourians 
 received but little sympathy, and the requisition papers were 
 returned unserved. The unpleasant incident, however, like 
 a cloud on the clear horizon of Joseph and his people, was the 
 forerunner of "a storm which, though not bursting forth in- 
 stanter, shall know no lull when once its fury breaks, till the 
 blood of that Prophet has been shed, and another and a crown- 
 ing exodus of that people from the confines of civilization to 
 the wilds of the savage west shall have startled by its strange- 
 ness and awakened by its unparalleled achievement, a world's 
 wonder."* 
 
 In the winter of 1840-1, the legislature granted a most 
 liberal charter to Nauvoo, a charter intended, according to 
 Joseph, "for the salvation of the Church, on principles so 
 broad, that every honest man might dwell secure under its 
 protective influence without distinction of sect or party." 
 It went into effect February 1, 1841, on which day the first 
 election was held. A day or two thereafter, the University and 
 the Nauvoo Legion were organized, as provided in the charter. 
 Joseph was afterward chosen Lieutenant-General of the mili- 
 tary organization. 
 
 At a conference on the 6th day of April, 1841, the corner 
 stones of the Nauvoo temple were laid, and to aid in the erection 
 of this edifice and other public buildings, the Prophet called upon 
 the people in the scattered stakes, in the region round about, to 
 gather to Nauvoo. In conformity with this desire, the Saints 
 flocked into the city from all directions to build up, with their 
 
 *Whitney's "History of Utah," Vol. I, p. 178 y 
 
70 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 concentrated energy and enterprise, "the corner stone of 
 Zion." 
 
 Success attended them at home and abroad, and with the 
 return of Brigham Young and the apostles from England, the 
 prosperity of the growing city was greatly accelerated. The 
 fame of Joseph Smith had spread over two continents. In 
 1842, he and his people were at the height of prosperity. The 
 great newspapers sent representatives to write about the modern 
 "military Prophet " and his followers, whose surroundings had 
 never before been so propitious as at this particular time. In 
 answer to appeals from publishers, Joseph wrote a short account 
 of the founding of the Church, its progress and persecutions, 
 in which is contained the Articles of Faith. 
 
 ARTICLES OF FAITH 
 Of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 
 
 1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus 
 Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 
 
 2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and 
 not for Adam's transgression. 
 
 3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind 
 may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 
 
 4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gos- 
 pel are: (1) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; (2) Repentance; (3) 
 Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; (4) Laying on of 
 Hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, 
 and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach 
 the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 
 
 6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primi- 
 tive Church, viz.: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, 
 etc. 
 
 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, 
 healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. 
 
 8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is trans- 
 lated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of 
 God. 
 
 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now 
 reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important 
 things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 
 
 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restora- 
 tion of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the American) 
 continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and,that the 
 earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. 
 
 11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 71 
 
 to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privi- 
 lege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 
 
 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and 
 magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. 
 
 13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, 
 and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the 
 admonition of Paul, We believe all things, we hope all things, we have 
 endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there 
 is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek 
 after these things. JOSEPH SMITH. 
 
 Other writings, explaining the belief and the history of 
 the Latter-day Saints, were scattered broadcast over the whole 
 world. Times and Seasons, the Church organ, was edited by 
 the Prophet himself, through which source he promulgated 
 many precious truths and instructions. On the 17th of March, 
 the Relief Society of the ladies was organized. Hundreds were 
 baptized. Beautiful homes surrounded by lovely gardens 
 sprang into existence ; industries flourished with the increase of 
 population ; the thrift, energy and union of the people promised 
 to make the city the largest in the state. Nauvoo the Beautiful 
 soon numbered twenty thousand souls. 
 
 Zion was indeed living; but, standing upon the gilded 
 hilltops of her fame and prosperity, the Prophet beheld pre- 
 monitory shadows of the dark valley of affliction through which 
 her people were about to pass, and in which he was to sacrifice 
 his life, a martyr to her wondrous cause. 
 
 2. Lowering Clouds. 
 
 The premonition of his own fate first found utterance in 
 a funeral sermon which the Prophet delivered over the re- 
 mains of a son of William Marks, President of the Nauvoo stake, 
 on the 9th day of April, 1842, in which he enjoined his hearers 
 to remember that he was subject to death, and that he had no 
 longer a lease on his life.* Four months later, on the 6th day 
 of August, in a conversation with some of his brethren in Mont- 
 rose, Iowa, he foreshadowed the migration of his people to the 
 
 *Said he: "Some have supposed that 'Brother Joseph' could not die; but 
 this is a mistake: it is true that there have been times when I have had the promise of 
 my life to accomplish such and such things; but, having now accomplished those things, I 
 have not at present any lease of my life, I am as liable to die as other men. "History of 
 the Church," Vol. IV, p. 587. 
 
72 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 West, and the tribulations through which they were to pass, in 
 a remarkable prophecy which was recorded at the time.* 
 
 In May, 1842, the treachery of Dr. J. C. Bennett 
 began to come to light. This man Bennett had been elected 
 Mayor of Nauvoo, chosen Chancellor of its University, and 
 Major-General of its Legion. He was a man of brains and 
 ability, but had little character and conscience. He had, how- 
 ever, rendered valuable service to the "Mormon" cause in 
 obtaining the charter of Nauvoo; and, as his rascality and lack 
 of soul were not at first apparent, he was hastily loaded with 
 the confidence and honor which he afterward so shamefully 
 abused. At a sham battle of the Legion, he planned to have 
 the Prophet killed. Failing in this, he began repeating un- 
 warranted falsehoods against the Prophet and the people. 
 Among other things, he taught secretly to men and women 
 that Joseph countenanced sin between the sexes. This was 
 doubtless done to shield his own iniquity, for he was shortly 
 after excommunicated for adultery. Then he wrote a book 
 full of wicked falsehoods against Joseph and the Saints, which 
 greatly increased the now rising prejudice against them. In 
 August, the apostles and a large number of elders were sent 
 out to refute these slanders and vile imputations. 
 
 In the meantime, the old Missouri feud was kept alive. 
 In May, an attempt was made to assassinate ex-Governor 
 Boggs, in Independence, the deed being, of course, falsely, 
 laid to the "Mormons." Complaint was made accusing Joseph 
 of being an accessory to the attempted murder before the 
 crime. Application was made by the Governor of Missouri 
 demanding his person from the authorities in Illinois. He and 
 O. P. Rockwell were accordingly arrested at Nauvoo, August 
 8, but were discharged after a hearing before the municipal 
 court. But other attempts were made to get him into the 
 clutches of his enemies; and, for this reason, he deemed it 
 best to go into hiding. While hidden, he wrote important 
 letters to the Saints concerning the continuation of work on 
 
 *Says the record: "I prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much afflic- 
 tion, and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, many would apostatize, others would 
 be put to death by our persecutors, or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or dis- 
 ease; and some of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build cities, and 
 see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains." "History 
 of the Church," Vol. V, p. 85. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 73 
 
 the temple, and on the doctrine of baptism for the dead.* 
 Every attempt was made to capture him, but in vain. In 
 December, 1842, Thomas Ford, a Democrat, became Governor 
 of Illinois, and to him Joseph applied to withdraw the writs and 
 the proclamation of reward which Governor Carlin had issued 
 for his capture. Ford induced him to submit to a judicial 
 investigation, which was accordingly done, and resulted in 
 Joseph once more becoming a free man. 
 
 For a short time, he enjoyed peace. On February 6, 
 1843, he was chosen Mayor of Nauvoo. On the 12th of April 
 following, Parley P. Pratt, Lorenzo Snow and Levi Richards 
 arrived in the city with two large companies of emigrants 
 from England, among whom were the Cannon family. 
 
 In June of this year, there was another attempt to drag 
 the Prophet to Missouri, this time on the old charge of treason. 
 Dr. Bennett was among the principal instigators of this out- 
 rage. The Prophet was arrested, or rather kidnapped, and 
 brutally treated, but upon a final hearing was again released. 
 
 The politicians were stirring up strife against the Saints, 
 in the meantime. Ford, in his inaugural address to the legis- 
 lature, had recommended a modification and restriction of the 
 Nauvoo charter, to pacify the general clamor. The step Joseph 
 had taken in calling the Saints from other parts to 
 Nauvoo, previously referred to, had been looked upon 
 as a deep scheme on his part to gain political ascen- 
 dency, and certain politicians professed to view with 
 alarm the increase of "Mormon" power which would be 
 brought about by means of this concentration. The result had 
 been the organization of the anti-"Mormon" party, which was 
 composed of all kinds of people who had grievances against the 
 Saints, and it was the means of stirring up much bitterness 
 against them. In August, several "Mormons" who had been 
 elected to county offices, upon attempting to qualify at Carthage, 
 the county seat, were threatened by an armed mob, but never- 
 theless they took the required oaths. With this, the anti- 
 " Mormon" party renewed their pledges to fight and to assist 
 Missouri in any future attempt to harass the Prophet. Besides 
 this, mobs now began to burn the homes of the Saints in the 
 districts lying outside of Nauvoo, and otherwise .to destroy 
 
 *See Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 127 and 128. 
 
74 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 their possessions. When appealed to for assistance, Governor 
 Ford implied in his reply that the Saints must protect them- 
 selves. His answer was in the same line as those of former 
 officials in Missouri, and as that of President Van Buren; it 
 meant to that persecuted people: however just your cause, we 
 can do nothing for you. 
 
 The Nauvoo Legion was held in readiness to protect the 
 people from the depredations of the mob. 
 
 3. The Martyrdom. 
 
 "What will be your rule of action relative to us as a people, 
 should fortune favor your ascension to the chief magistracy?" 
 
 This question was directed to several prominent national 
 politicians, by the Prophet Joseph in the winter of 1843-4. 
 Replies were received from Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun 
 only, and these were so evasive that the Prophet stingingly 
 reproved them for what he considered their cowardice and 
 lack of moral force. 
 
 Then followed the startling announcement that Joseph 
 Smith was a candidate for the Presidency of the United States. 
 He was nominated on the 29th of January, 1844, and duly 
 sustained at a state convention on the 17th of May following. 
 In the meantime (February 7) appeared a printed procla- 
 mation of the Prophet's "Views on the Powers and Policy of 
 the Government of the United States," in which he defined 
 his position on the burning political questions of the day. 
 Slavery should be abolished, the slave-holders to be paid for 
 their slaves by the general Government; money for this purpose 
 to be raised by the reduction of salaries of Congressmen, and 
 by the sale of public lands; the abolition of imprisonment for 
 debt, and for all crimes save murder; work on public improve- 
 ments to be made the penalty for other offenses; the peniten- 
 tiaries to be turned into seminaries of learning; the investment 
 of power in the President to send armies to suppress mobs; 
 the extension of the United States, with the consent of the red 
 man, from sea to sea; the annexation of Texas, Oregon, and 
 other districts when they should ask for entrance into the 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 75 
 
 Union. Besides, there were many other excellent features in 
 his platform.* 
 
 To promulgate his political views, and to act as his elec- 
 tioneers in the campaign, the Twelve and many elders were 
 sent to the Eastern states. The reason impelling him to ac- 
 cept the candidacy was that he might battle for the religious 
 and civil rights of his people.** Doubtless he had little faith 
 in winning the race for the Presidency. Said he: "I care but 
 little about the Presidential chair; I would not give half as 
 much for the office of President of the United States as I would 
 for the one I now hold as Lieutenant-General of the Nauvoo 
 Legion." 
 
 We find him more interested in having Oregon and Cali- 
 fornia explored; whither, after the completion of the temple, 
 he hoped to lead his legion at the head of the Saints, there to 
 "build a city in a day." The exploring expedition of seventy- 
 five men which he had arranged for would have gone on this 
 mission but for the political move referred to. In March, 
 Congress was memorialized by him to pass an act for the pro- 
 tection of American citizens wishing to settle Oregon, which 
 at that time was claimed by England jointly with the United 
 States. He asked for the privilege of raising 100,000 men for 
 this purpose, and also to protect Texas against Mexico, and 
 to found another state for the Union in the midst of the Rocky 
 Mountains. But other events intervened to prevent him from 
 accomplishing the plan. However, the design was not de- 
 feated; Joseph was destined to die, and Brigham Young to 
 carry into effect the outlined program. 
 
 The situation in Nauvoo, during the spring and summer of 
 1844, was desperate. Not only were there dire threatenings 
 from the mob without, but from apostates within, who were 
 forming all kinds of plots for the destruction of the Prophet and 
 the people in the fated city. William and Wilson Law, the 
 Higbees, and the Fosters, all of them apostates, and as vile as 
 they were bitter, were foremost among the plotters. These 
 
 *See "History of the Church," Vol. VI, pp. 197-209. 
 
 **"! feel it to be my right and privilege to obtain what influence and power I can, 
 lawfully, in the United States, for the protection of injured innocence; and if I lose my life, 
 in a good cause, I am willing to be sacrificed on the altar of virtue, righteousness and truth, 
 in maintaining the laws and constitution of the United States, if need be for the general 
 good of mankind." Joseph Smith. 
 
76 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 men founded a new church, with William Law, formerly 
 Joseph's counselor, as president, and denounced Joseph as 
 "a fallen Prophet." 
 
 The doctrine of plurality of wives and the eternity of the 
 marriage covenant, had been recorded July 12, 1843,* and at 
 the time of which we write was secretly taught and practiced 
 among the leaders of the Church. Owing to his position, Wil- 
 liam Law, of course, knew this, and therefore had Joseph 
 arrested for polygamy. He was discharged; but it was not 
 against him alone that the efforts of these apostates were 
 directed; the whole people were to be harassed and persecuted. 
 To this end, they founded the Expositor, a newspaper whose 
 mission, among other things, was to advocate the uncondition- 
 al repeal of the Nauvoo charter, and to create disobedience to 
 and rebellion against the Prophet. It made its first appearance 
 on June 7, 1844, filled with foul abuse and filthy scandals. 
 The whole city was shocked. The city council met on the 10th, 
 and declared the paper a nuisance that must be abated; and, 
 on the day following, by order of Mayor Joseph Smith, it was 
 utterly destroyed. Immediately leaving the city, the pro- 
 prietors arranged for the arrest of Joseph and a number of 
 prominent men, on the charge of riot. They were arrested, 
 tried, and discharged in Nauvoo, they being unwilling to leave 
 that city for trial. This caused intense excitement. Soon 
 anti-' 'Mormon" mobs gathered against Nauvoo armed for 
 battle, swearing vengeance on the people and their leaders. 
 The situation was serious. Word had been sent to the Governor, 
 but there had been no reply from him. Under these circum- 
 stances, Joseph, seeing no escape from threatened assault 
 and massacre, declared Nauvoo under martial law, calling out 
 the Legion to defend it. Hearing of this, the weak and vacil- 
 lating Governor Ford placed himself at the head of the troops, 
 virtually transforming the assembling mobs into militia, and 
 demanded that the Prophet, and his associates in the de- 
 struction of the Expositor, come to Carthage for trial, and that 
 martial law be abolished in Nauvoo. His orders were obeyed. 
 He made a solemn pledge, upon his honor and the faith of the 
 state of Illinois, that the prisoners should be protected from 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 77 
 
 violence, and that they should be given a fair trial. This pledge 
 was repeated several times afterward, but was never kept. 
 
 On the day following, by demand of the Governor, the Legion 
 delivered up their arms, being once more promised protection. 
 The Prophet, his brother Hyrum, and sixteen others of their 
 friends, went to Carthage on the evening *f the 24th of June, 
 Joseph remarking that he was going "like a lamb to the slaugh- 
 ter."* He had hesitated for a moment, crossed the river 
 with some of his friends, thinking to go to the mountains, but 
 returned upon the solicitation of some of his followers who 
 chided him with cowardice in deserting his people. That they 
 were going back to be slaughtered was certain. Their enemies 
 were determined that if the law could not reach them, powder 
 and ball should. 
 
 On the fatal 27th of June, Joseph and Hyrum, with their 
 friends John Taylor and Willard Richards, were placed in an 
 upper room of the Carthage Jail. About 5 o'clock p. m. the 
 Prophet and Hyrum his Patriarch brother were shot by a mob 
 of troops about two hundred strong. John Taylor was all 
 but fatally wounded, while Willard Richards escaped unhurt. 
 
 While this bloody tragedy was being enacted in Carthage, 
 by the mutinous Carthage Greys, Governor Ford was in Nauvoo 
 haranguing the disarmed, peaceful Saints on the enormity of 
 their crimes in destroying the Expositor. He must have known 
 of the intention of the mob, for his attention was frequently 
 called to the threats which they had openly made never to 
 allow the Prophet to escape alive. He was "struck with a 
 kind of dumbness," as he heard of the assassination, but it 
 was doubtless more from a fear for his own safety than from 
 grief at the crime. He fled to Quincy that same night, after 
 having written an order to the Saints to defend themselves. 
 The horrified mob and citizens of Carthage fled in all directions. 
 
 *"I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer's morning. 
 I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men. If they take my life 
 I shall die an innocent man, and my blood shall cry from the ground for vengeance, and it 
 shall yet be said of me 'He was murdered in cold blood!' " "History of the Church," 
 Vol. VI, p. 555. 
 
78 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 IV. 
 
 THE CHURCH UNDER BRIGHAM YOUNG. 
 
 1844-1877. 
 * 
 1. Agreement to Leave Nauvoo. 
 
 The foundation for the Church of Christ, which the Prophet 
 Joseph had laid, was broad and grand. To follow him, God had 
 provided in Brigham Young a strong builder who thoroughly 
 understood the plans and specifications of the complex and 
 colossal superstructure that was thereupon to be erected. With 
 master mind and hand, he stood ready at the appointed hour 
 to grapple with the stupendous task. 
 
 The woe and grief of the stricken Saints were beyond de- 
 scription. When the dead bodies of their martyred leaders 
 arrived in Nauvoo, on June 28, 1844, ten thousand sorrowing 
 people gathered to gaze upon the lifeless clay. Apostle Willard 
 Richards and Col. Markham admonished the people to keep 
 the peace, to look to the law for a remedy, and, that failing, 
 as it did, to leave vengeance to Heaven. 
 
 A few days before the martyrdom, the apostles had been 
 called home from their electioneering mission, but the most of 
 them did not return until the 6th of August. 
 
 The training to which the Prophet had subjected the 
 apostles abundantly fitted them to take the responsibility of 
 leading the Church. His last days had been devoted assidu- 
 ously to the ministry. He had bestowed upon the apostles 
 and other faithful elders, the endowments, given them the 
 keys of the Priesthood in their fulness, taught and adminis- 
 tered to them the sealing ordinances, explaining the manner in 
 which parents, children, the whole human family, are to be 
 united in eternal ties. In his sermons, he dwelt upon these 
 important doctrines, and laid a foundation broad and strong 
 upon which to build the Church both relating to government 
 and to spiritual doctrines.* His days had been few but im- 
 portant. All his years were full of persecution; vindictive hate 
 
 *See Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 112 and 129-131; also "Sermons and Writings 
 of the Prophet Joseph," "Contributor," Vol. 3. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 79 
 
 followed him through life. By "false brethren" he was constant- 
 ly wounded. He had now sealed his divine doctrines and his 
 faithful testimony with his blood, which, as with other martyrs, 
 became "the seed of the Church." 
 
 For the first time since that quorum's organization, the 
 Church was without a First Presidency. But the keys and the 
 powers had been left with the apostles. Well for the cause 
 that such a character as Brigham Young stood at the head of 
 that quorum. To him the Saints turned instinctively for coun- 
 sel. Sidney Rigdon, the martyred Prophet's first counselor, 
 who had removed to Pennsylvania to escape the turmoils of 
 Nauvoo, made an effort to induce the Saints to accept his 
 leadership, but the hearts of the people were not with him; 
 and, after some meetings and discussions, on the 8th of August, 
 1844, Brigham Young and the Twelve apostles were sustained 
 as the leaders of the Church. Brigham was regarded by the 
 people as the divinely appointed successor of the Prophet; 
 upon him the mantle of Joseph had fallen. His ability and past 
 labors entitled him to their confidence, as the Spirit of God and 
 the gospel designated him their safest guide.* He laid hold 
 of the work where the Prophet finished, and carried it on suc- 
 cessfully. It was soon manifest to the enemies of the Church, 
 who paused to view the effects of the murder storm of Carthage, 
 that "Mormonism" would not die with its Prophet. There had 
 arisen an equally fitting character, however they may have 
 differed, to lead the Saints on their thorny, though triumphant, 
 way. Upon the foundations laid by the first, the second was to 
 build a structure that was to become the wonder and the ad- 
 miration of the world. 
 
 For a short period, there was peace in Nauvoo. The build- 
 ing of the temple and other public places was continued in the 
 midst of poverty. The population was increased by emigra- 
 tion from the old world. But the enemies of the cause were as 
 active as ever; nothing but the scattering and utter destruction 
 
 *Brighara found himself in possession of qualities which we find present primarily in 
 all great men "intellectual force, mental superiority, united with personal magnetism 
 and physique enough to give weight to will and opinion; for Brigham Young was assuredly 
 a great man, if by greatness we mean one who is superior to others in strength and skill, 
 moral, intellectual, or physical." Bancroft's "Utah," p. 201. 
 
 "A notable character in life's grand tragedy, one bloody scene of which had so lately 
 closed, waiting at the wing he had caught his cue, and the stirring stage of Time was now 
 ready for his advent." Whitney's "Utah," Vol. I, p. 235. 
 
80 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 of the Saints would satisfy their designs. Realizing that the 
 enforced and foreshadowed exodus to the West was near at 
 hand, the people were counseled by their leaders to bend every 
 energy to complete the sacred temple, so that all might enjoy 
 the blessings of the glorious doctrines which the martyred 
 Prophet had revealed to them. Before their departure to the 
 West, the edifice was so far completed, that in December, 1845, 
 and January, 1846, thousands received their endowments, 
 blessings and anointings therein. 
 
 A faint effort was made, in the fall of 1844, also in May, 
 1845, to bring the murderers of Joseph and Hyrum to justice, but 
 after a trial, they were ' 'honorably acquitted." There was no 
 hope for the Saints to receive justice. Yielding to the popular 
 clamor, the legislature repealed the Nauvoo city charter, in 
 January, 1845, and the place became the prey of lawlessness.* 
 In April Governor Ford wrote to President Young advising 
 him to go West with his people, to "get off by yourselves" 
 where you may enjoy peace.** This course had long been 
 decided upon, and the desire to complete the temple was all 
 that delayed the Saints in carrying out their plans. 
 
 In the fall of 1845, encouraged by the acquittal of the 
 fiends of Carthage, mobs became more and more bold in their 
 depredations; outrages, burnings and persecutions were in- 
 flicted afresh upon the defenseless Saints. Their houses fired, 
 and their possessions destroyed, they fled from the outlying 
 districts to Nauvoo for protection.*** At this juncture, 
 Governor Ford called out the troops to restore order. Peace 
 was proclaimed to the people, and the mob was commanded to 
 obey authority. Then, on the 1st of October, a conference 
 was held of the "Mormon" leaders and General Harding, 
 
 *Said Josiah Lamborn, Esq., Attorney-General of Illinois: "By the repeal of your 
 charter, and by refusing all amendments and modifications, our legislature has given a 
 kind of sanction to the barbarous manner in which you have been treated. It is truly a 
 melancholy spectacle to witness the law-makers of a sovereign state condescending to 
 pander to the vices, ignorance, and malevolence of a class of people who are at all times 
 ready for riot, murder and rebellion." 
 
 **For a copy of this letter, and other documents relating to the departure of the Saints 
 from Nauvoo, see Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," pp. 8-13. 
 
 ***Mobs commenced driving out the "Mormons" in the lower part of Hancock county, 
 and burning their houses and property. The burning was continued from settlement to 
 settlement for ten or eleven days, without any resistance whatever." Wells, in Bancroft's 
 "History of Utah." 
 
 "The mob said they would drive all into Nauvoo, and all Nauvoo into the Mississippi. 
 Richards in Bancroft's "History of Utah," 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 81 
 
 commander of the troops, with Attorney- General McDougal, 
 Senator Douglas, and Major Warren. The result was an agree- 
 ment by the Saints, who well knew that there was no alterna- 
 tive between exodus and extermination by massacre, to leave 
 the state in the spring. On the other hand, they were not to 
 be molested by the mob, but this promise was not kept. Their 
 removal had been demanded by a meeting of representatives 
 of nine counties of the state, assembled in Carthage. 
 
 As rapidly as possible, preparations were made to move 
 West in compliance with the terms of the agreement, and with 
 the decision of the Church leaders. Land was disposed of, 
 leased or exchanged, for animals and wagons. Property of all 
 kinds was sold, or left for sale in the hands of trusted agents. 
 So closed the year 1845. 
 
 2. Expelled from Illinois. 
 
 After a little less than seven years of troubled rest, during 
 which time wonderful strides in temporal as well as spiritual 
 progress had been made, the Saints, now twenty thousand 
 strong, once more must leave their homes. Driven again from 
 their city, they must now abandon themselves to the mercy 
 of the savages, journey far beyond the borders of civilization. 
 
 Hundreds of farms, two thousand houses, and much 
 personal property, were now offered for sale in and about Nau- 
 voo. Their many public buildings and their glorious and be- 
 loved temple, the Saints did not expect to sell, but they called 
 upon all good citizens to aid them in the disptosal of their other 
 possessions, giving the men of Illinois to understand, however, 
 that they would not sacrifice or give away their property. But 
 a community who were unwilling to keep their own conditions 
 of the covenant of peace with the "Mormons," could not be 
 expected to render pecuniary assistance to the afflicted people. 
 Possessions were therefore sold for a mere nothing. The coun- 
 try was scoured for miles around, and property traded at a 
 fearful sacrifice, for traveling outfits. 
 
 At length, harried by their enemies, dMven almost at the 
 point of the sword, the Saints gathered in large numbers on 
 the east shore of the river, and, on February 4, 1846, began 
 
82 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 crossing the water on their way to the West. After that date, 
 the ferries were kept busy day and night until the river froze 
 over, when crossing was continued on the ice. By the middle 
 of the month, a thousand souls, with their effects, had been 
 landed on the Iowa shore. Proceeding, they made their first 
 camp at Sugar Creek, nine miles west into Iowa.* They suffer- 
 ed severely, the ground being snow-covered and the weather 
 bitter cold. Sleeping in tents and wagons, they and their sick 
 underwent much hardship and affliction both of body and mind, 
 driven as they were by civilized Christians from comfortable 
 homes, and camping now almost in sight of these, on the bleak 
 prairie, in the dead of winter, with no prospects before them 
 but snow, storms, savages, and the untrodden wilderness. 
 Well might the historian Bancroft exclaim: "There is no parallel 
 in the world's history of this migration from Nauvoo."** 
 
 On the 15th, they joined President Young, the leading 
 spirit of the exodus, who began the temporary organization 
 of the camp. Firmly but kindly he gave laws for the guidance 
 of the "Camps of Israel," enjoining honesty and morality. 
 Innocent amusement and recreation were to be permitted in mod- 
 eration, as a means of diverting the people's minds from their 
 past troubles and present toils and hardships. Having peti- 
 tioned the Governor for protection while passing through his 
 territory, President Young and the apostles made a farewell 
 visit to Nauvoo, holding a parting service in the temple where 
 the remnant of the Saints were instructed in their duties. This 
 done, they returned to camp, and, on March 1, orders to ad- 
 vance were given. Five miles were covered that day. Then 
 from day to day, they continued their journey in rain, snow and 
 mud, towards the setting sun, their hearts cheered by the God 
 of the friendless. Many were poor, some were destitute, but 
 allfwere as happy as could be under the circumstances. They 
 
 *Says Col. Thomas L. Kane: "The people of Iowa have told me that from morning to 
 night they passed westward like an endless procession. They did not seem greatly out of 
 heart, they said; but at the top of every hill, before they disappeared, were to be seen look- 
 ing back, like banished Moors, on their abandoned homes and the far-seen temple and its 
 glittering spire." 
 
 **Bancroft's "History of Utah," p. 217. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 83 
 
 never uselessly repined, but watched, prayed, worked, listened 
 to music, danced, sang and rejoiced.* 
 
 At Shoal Creek, near Chariton river, on March 27, a more 
 complete organization was effected. Captains were appointed 
 over "hundreds," "fifties" and "tens." Reinforced by fresh 
 arrivals, the companies soon numbered about three thousand 
 wagons, thousands of cattle, besides sheep, horses and mules. 
 Settlements sprang up in the wilderness of Iowa, as if by magic. 
 They were called "traveling stakes of Zion," and chief among 
 these were Garden Grove and Mount Pisgah, near which farm- 
 ing operations were carried on for the benefit of those who should 
 follow after. 
 
 In July, the main body reached the Missouri, settling in a 
 place which they named Kanesville, now known as Council 
 Bluffs. President Young and the vanguard had arrived about 
 the middle of June. Later, a part of the company crossed the 
 river and settled upon the Pottawatamie and Omaha Indian 
 lands, where Winter Quarters, now Florence, was founded, 
 with a population of about four thousand souls. 
 
 It was President Young's intention to hasten on that sum- 
 mer with an exploring party to the Rocky Mountains. The 
 muster of volunteers for this purpose was in progress at Mount 
 Pisgah, under the direction of Elder Wilford Woodruff, of the 
 Council of the Twelve, recently returned from England, when 
 a startling incident occurred which changed his plans and de- 
 layed the migration west until the following spring. Their 
 country made a call for volunteers for quite another purpose 
 a requisition for a battalion of five hundred men to take part 
 in the Mexican war. There were now twelve thousand Latter- 
 day Saints inhabiting the temporary settlements stretched 
 across the plains of Iowa from Winter Quarters to Garden 
 Grove. 
 
 *"A spectacle sublime. An exiled nation going forth, like Israel from Egypt, into the 
 wilderness, there to worship, unmolested, the God of their fathers in his own appointed 
 way; that from their loins might spring a people nursed in the spirit of prophecy, made 
 stalwart by tribulation, that should leap from the mountains in a day to come, and roll 
 back an avalanche of power, to regain possession of their promised land." Whitney's 
 "Life of Heber C. Kimball," p. 363. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 3. Two Maitary Pictures. 
 
 As early as August 6, 1842, the Prophet Joseph had pre- 
 dicted that the Saints would be driven to the Rocky Mountains. 
 On that date he went over the river to Montrose, Iowa. It 
 was while there that Joseph conversed with a number of the 
 brethren on the "Mormon" persecutions and that he uttered 
 the remarkable prophecy.* Other recorded pages in early 
 Church history point to the fact that it was contemplated that 
 somewhere in the Great Basin of the Rocky Mountains a new 
 abiding place would be found. In a letter written by Brigham 
 Young to President Polk, August 9, 1846, it is stated that the 
 Saints are determined to find a home in the West in the basin 
 of the Great Salt Lake "where a good living will require hard 
 labor," and hence a place that "will be coveted by no other 
 people." In January of the same year the high council made 
 public an announcement of the intention of the "Mormon" 
 people to move to "some good valley in the Rocky Mountains," 
 and suggested that in the event that President Polk's recom- 
 mendations should become law, they would like to build stock- 
 ades and block-houses on the route to Oregon. They did de- 
 sire to do that work for the government, suggesting that under 
 their circumstances in this their enforced migration, they could 
 do it with less expense to the government than could any other 
 people. * * 
 
 "Mormon" messengers were sent to Washington and had 
 asked for help on their enforced movement to the West. Mr. 
 Polk, the President of the United States, seemed inclined to 
 grant the request, and so an order was finally made to have 
 500 "Mormons" enlist in the army and march to California 
 to aid in the Mexican war and incidentally in the conquest of 
 California. 
 
 The help which they had asked for came at a very incon- 
 venient time and not in the way the messengers or people had 
 expected. It was thought that the government would aid them 
 by giving them some government work along the route which 
 
 ""'History of the Church," Vol. 5, page 85; "Brief History of the Church," 111:2, in note. 
 **See "Times and Seasons," Vol. 5, page 1096; "History of Brigham Young," manu- 
 script book 2, page 187, quoted in Roberts' "The Mormon Battalion." 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 85 
 
 they designed to take to California, as indicated in Presi- 
 dent Folk's recommendations to Congress, namely, to build 
 stockades and block-houses on the route to Oregon, and in that 
 way receive some help from the government on their enforced 
 exodus. However, as stated, they were instead asked to fur- 
 nish their men for the army in the war with Mexico. Mr. J. C. 
 Little had been appointed, by the Church authorities, as presi- 
 dent of the eastern states mission, and had received instructions 
 to the effect that if the government should offer any facilities 
 for immigration to the western coast, that he should embrace 
 those facilities, if possible, for the people and take every honor- 
 able advantage of the offer which it was possible for him to do. 
 He consulted with the President, with the result stated. 
 
 There was considerable excitement when it was learned that 
 this plan for "Mormon" participation consisted in having sol- 
 diers selected from the people to take part in the war, rather 
 than in the work which had been originally contemplated. 
 Some there were, when this requisition of the government for 
 the "Mormon" Battalion was made, who appeared to be un- 
 certain as to whether the muster was intended for good or for 
 evil to them; whether it was in answer to their leader's petition 
 for help to enable them to settle in the Rocky Mountains, 
 or whether it was intended for their injury. On the llth of 
 July, however, Colonel Thomas L. Kane reached the "Mormon" 
 camps at Council Bluffs and gave assurance that the general 
 government had taken the "Mormon" case into consideration 
 inferentially with benevolent intentions.* President Young 
 states in his manuscript history as follows, in regard to the call: 
 "I propose that the 500 volunteers be mustered, and I would 
 do my best to see all the families brought forward as far as my 
 influence extended and feed them when I had anything to eat 
 myself."** 
 
 Brigham Young also stated, as recorded in his manuscript 
 history book 2, pp. 30-34, and quoted by B. H. Roberts in the 
 History and Achievement of the Mormon Battalion, in a letter 
 written to the trustees at Nauvoo: "This is the first time the 
 government has stretched forth its arm to our assistance and 
 
 *See Taylor's Journal Entry of July 11, 1846. 
 **"History of Brigham Young," manuscript book 2, pages 4 and 5. 
 
86 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 we receive the proffer with joy and we feel confident that they 
 (the battalion) will have little or no fighting. The pay of the 
 500 men will take their families to them. The 'Mormons' 
 then, being the only settlers, will have a chance to choose the 
 best locations." 
 
 However this may be, there were many people who could 
 not understand the situation. Think of taking 500 of the young, 
 able-bodied men, the flower of the camps, from their present 
 all but helpless ranks. Consider the dependent ones that would 
 be left behind in an Indian country without means of support, 
 in the midst of the dangers and hardships of an unparalleled 
 exodus! Then arose in their minds the memories of Missouri, 
 the martyrdom, their recent treatment by the government of 
 Illinois, their present condition! Natural indeed that they 
 should ask, what shall be done? What shall our leaders decide 
 to do? 
 
 But, when the matter was laid before President Young by 
 Capt. James Allen, acting under General Kearny, the captain 
 was promptly told that he should have his men. "You shall 
 have your battalion," said Brigham. The far sighted vision 
 of Brigham Young and the loyalty of the "Mormons," their 
 love of country, their devotion to the Union, were the consider- 
 ations alone that could have insured such a patriotic reply at 
 such a time. 
 
 There not being men enough in Winter Quarters, President 
 Young and others proceeded to the various camps in the role 
 of recruiting officers. At Mount Pisgah many were enrolled. 
 Messengers were sent to other camps, and to Nauvoo, for 
 young men, old men, and boys, to fill the places made vacant 
 by the enlisted men. At Council Bluffs, upon the arrival of 
 the Pisgah volunteers, the enrollment was completed, on the 
 15th of July. Addressing the Saints, at a meeting in the 
 Bowery, President Young cautioned them "not to mention 
 families today. We want to conform to the requisition made 
 upon us. We must raise the battalion. I say it is right; and 
 who cares for sacrificing our comfort for a few years." 
 
 The result is thus summarized by Col. Kane, who was 
 present at the time: "A central mass meeting for counsel, some 
 harangues at the remotely scattered camps, an American flag 
 brought out from the store-house of things rescued and hoisted 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 87 
 
 to the top of a tree-mast, and in three days the force was re- 
 ported, mustered, organized and ready to march." 
 
 The Battalion, numbering in all five hundred and forty- 
 nine souls, took up their western march on the 16th, having on 
 the evening previous taken leave of their loved ones, and en- 
 joyed themselves in a social reunion, with music, songs and 
 dance. For two thousand miles, from the Missouri to the 
 Pacific, the Battalion marched over dreary deserts, braving 
 dangers and hardships, finally reaching California, January 29, 
 1847.* Whatever else may be said of the "Mormons," let no 
 man dare, after such a test, to question their patriotism and 
 loyalty. 
 
 That is one military picture, in the foreground of which 
 stands forth prominently patriotism and loyalty to country, 
 under the most trying circumstances that could be named 
 an enduring honor to the Latter-day Saints. 
 
 Now the other. 
 
 After the departure of the leaders, in 1846, such haste 
 was made by the remaining Saints to leave Nauvoo as should 
 have been satisfactory to any reasonable person. But the anti- 
 "Mormons" affected to believe, and freely asserted, that the 
 "Mormons" did not intend to leave the State.** In July, 
 they raised troops to march against Nauvoo. The new citi- 
 zens averted a conflict at that time, but on September 10 and 
 12, a mob led by Col. Brockman, a Campbellite preacher, pro- 
 ceeded to bombard the city. The citizens, greatly outnumbered, 
 banded together for defense, but were overpowered, in a con- 
 flict, on the 12th, of over an hour's duration, during which 
 several citizens were killed. Then followed a siege of several 
 days which ended in a treaty whose main provisions were the 
 surrender of the city, the immediate departure of the remaining 
 "Mormons" (numbering something over 600 souls), the pro- 
 
 *Says Lieutenant-Col. St. George Cooke, in charge of the Battalion, vice Col. J. Allen , 
 deceased: "History may be searched in vain for an equal march of infantry. Half of it 
 has been through a wilderness where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found, or 
 deserts where, for the want of water, there is no living creature. There, with almost 
 hopeless labor, we have dug deep wells, which the future traveler will enjoy. Without a 
 guide who had traversed them, we have ventured into trackless table lands, where water 
 was not found for several marches. With crowbar and pick and ax in hand, we have 
 worked our way over mountains which seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and 
 hewed a passage through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons." "The 
 Conquest of New Mexico and California," by P. St. George Cooke. 
 
 **In short, from the 1st of May to the final evacuation of the city the men of Illinois 
 never ceased from strife and outrage." Bancroft's "History of Utah," p. 226. 
 
88 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 tection of property and persons from violence, and the sick to 
 be treated humanely. 
 
 No sooner did the mob get possession of the city, however, 
 than the agreement was outrageously violated by them. 
 The citizens were treated with every indignity: and, 
 finally, all the Saints who had not already fled, were forced, 
 at the point of the bayonet, to abandon their homes and posses- 
 sions. The last remnant crossed the river September 17. They, 
 and their sick and destitute, were dumped, shelterless, penni- 
 less, with scarcely any food or clothing, upon the flats of the 
 western shore of the Mississippi. Their deserted city was 
 pillaged, plundered; its holy temple desecrated with the boister- 
 ous orgies and vulgar songs of a drunken mob. 
 
 What became of the driven "Mormons?" "Where were 
 they? They had last been seen, carrying in mournful train their 
 sick and wounded, halt and blind, to disappear behind the 
 western horizon, pursuing the phantom of another home. 
 Hardly anything else was known of them, and people asked 
 with curiosity, what had been their fate what their fortune?" * 
 
 And all this, while their brethren of the Mormon Batta- 
 lion were marching under the good old flag to do battle for our 
 country's cause, on the plains of Mexico! 
 
 That is another military picture, in which the sullied good 
 name of one of the sovereign states of the Union, Illinois, with 
 her weak and wavering Governor, stands prominently in the 
 foreground to their everlasting shame and disgrace. 
 
 Most of the twenty thousand population of Nauvoo were 
 now sojourning in the wilderness with the "Camps of Israel." 
 They endured much suffering. There was a lack of food and 
 clothing. Fevers broke out among them, and many slept the 
 sleep of death on the prairies. At Winter Quarters alone, there 
 were over six hundred buried. Yet with all this, the spirits 
 
 *From Col. Kane's lecture before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 89 
 
 of the people were kept buoyant with labor and the hope of 
 better days.* 
 
 In Winter Quarters, nearly seven hundred log and turf 
 houses were erected, the city being laid out with streets in 
 regular order. There were factories, shops, mills, and a taber- 
 nacle for worship, the whole being fortified in frontier fashion. 
 Everybody was kept busy, the organizations of the Church 
 were continued, religious meetings held, missionaries sent 
 abroad, schools established. Many scattered through the 
 western states in search of work. Teams and supplies were 
 sent back to relieve the poor remnants of Nauvoo, in their 
 flight from tyrant mobs. 
 
 And so passed the winter of 1846-7. 
 
 *Their souls were kept buoyant with simple amusements, labor, songs, and innocent 
 recreations. It was here, and on their further journey to the mountains, that this wonder- 
 ful pioneer song of the Latter-day Saints was sung with spirit and with feeling: 
 
 Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear, 
 
 But with joy wend your way; 
 Though hard to you this journey may appear, 
 
 Grace shall be as your day. 
 'Tis better far for us to strive, 
 Our useless cares from us to drive; 
 Do this and joy your hearts will swell 
 All is well! all is well! 
 
 Why should we mourn, or think our lot is hard? 
 
 'Tis not so: all is right! 
 Why should we think to earn a great reward, 
 
 If we now shun the fight? 
 Gird up your loins, fresh courage take, 
 Our God will never us forsake; 
 And soon we'll have this tale to tell 
 All is well! all is well! 
 
 We'll find the place which God for us prepared, 
 
 Far away in the West; 
 Where none shall come to hurt nor make afraid; 
 
 There the Saints will be blessed. 
 We'll make the air with music ring; 
 Shout praises to our God and King; 
 Above the rest these words we'll tell 
 All is well! all is well! 
 
 And should we die before our journey's through, 
 
 Happy day! all is well! 
 We then are free from toil and sorrow too; 
 
 With the just we shall dwell. 
 But if our lives are spared again 
 To see the Saints, their rest obtain, 
 O how we'll make this chorus swell 
 All is well! all is well! 
 
90 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 4. The Pioneers and First Companies. 
 
 On the 14th of January, 1847, President Brigham Young 
 made known "The Word and Will of the Lord Concerning the 
 Camps of Israel in their Journeyings to the West."* In this 
 manifesto are found the instructions that should guide the 
 Saints in their continued travels. In conformity therewith, 
 they made early preparations to vacate Winter Quarters, and 
 to depart for their unknown inheritances in the wilderness. 
 Twelve times twelve able-bodied men were selected to pave 
 the way.** These pioneers started from Winter Quarters on 
 the 7th of April. On the 8th, they encamped near the Elkhorn; 
 and, during the next few days following the 17th of April, 
 when the camp was about sixty miles west of the starting 
 point, the members were organized thoroughly into a mili- 
 tary company, with Brigham Young as Lieutenant-General, 
 Stephen Markham as Colonel, and fourteen captains. 
 
 Prepared and equipped to fight (if necessary), and to con- 
 struct their way over the rivers, plains, and mountains of the 
 thousand-mile journey before them, they continued their 
 westward, pilgrim march for three months and seventeen days. 
 They followed the north bank of the Platte, making a new road, 
 for the benefit of those who should come after, for over six 
 hundred miles, and for the remainder of the distance following 
 a trail made by trappers. At length, after many thrilling ex- 
 periences, on the since celebrated 24th of July, President 
 Young and his band of pioneers entered the Valley of the 
 Great Salt Lake. The deserts and mountains had been pene- 
 trated. About the grateful wanderers, bathed in the thin, 
 clear air, lay the new land of Zion, the resting-place beheld by 
 their inspired leader when the voice whispered to him, "Here 
 is the place where my people Israel shall pitch their tents." 
 The hills reverberated to their hosanna shouts of praise and 
 joy.*** 
 
 *See Doctrine and Covenants, Section 136. 
 
 **One of these, Ellis Eames, fell sick, and returned to camp, leaving the number of the 
 Pioneers at 143, with three women and two children. They had seventy-two wagons, 
 ninety-three horses, fifty-two mules, sixty-six oxen,] and nineteen cows, besides seventeen 
 dogs and some chickens. 
 
 ***"In the heart of America, they are now upon the border of a new Holy Land, with the 
 Desert and its Dead Sea, its River Jordan, Mount of Olives and Galilee Lake, and a hun- 
 dred other features of its prototype of Asia." Bancroft's "History of Utah," p. 258, 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 91 
 
 The 25th being Sunday, they held two religious services, 
 thanking God for their deliverance. Pointing to the ancient 
 prophecies, the speakers maintained that these foretold of 
 their coming: "Oh,Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee 
 up into the high mountain." And again, God was to "hide 
 his people in the chambers of the mountains," and in the last 
 days the Lord's house was to be established in the top of the 
 mountains, and was to be "exalted above the hills; and all 
 nations shall flow unto it."* 
 
 Losing no time, they began early the next day to plant 
 potatoes and grain. Companies were organized to explore the 
 surrounding regions. The tall peak north of the settlement 
 was scaled, and its summit called Ensign Peak, because it 
 was a suitable place to raise an ensign to the nations. The 
 river, the lake and the hot springs were visited. On the 28th, 
 a spot for a temple was selected, and the general plan of the 
 city decided upon. In the early part of August, the Twelve 
 and many of the people renewed their covenants by baptism. 
 Everybody was kept busy. Some were tilling the soil, some 
 cutting and hauling timber, building, making adobes, and 
 otherwise preparing for the Saints who were to follow after 
 and inhabit. All were anxious to do as much as possible before 
 returning to assist their friends. The pioneers had been re- 
 inforced, soon after their arrival, by one hundred and forty 
 men of the Mormon Battalion detachment, and about one 
 hundred Saints from Mississippi. 
 
 At a conference on the 22nd day of August, a Stake of 
 Zion was organized, with Father John Smith as President. 
 At this time, the settlement was named Great Salt Lake City, 
 and the surrounding creeks and canyons and the river Jordan 
 were christened. The whole region whose waters flow into the 
 lake was called the Great Basin. 
 
 On the 17th, seventy-one men, mostly of the Battalion, 
 had returned, well organized, to Winter Quarters. Later, 
 August 26, President Young and a company of one hundred 
 and seven persons, also mostly Battalion men who had families 
 
 *Isaiah xl: 9; ii:2-3. 
 
92 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 among the Saints, started for Winter Quarters, bidding "A 
 hearty good-bye to all who tarry."* 
 
 On the trail of the pioneers were now moving several com- 
 panies of Saints distinguished as the first emigrations. In 
 June, these were organized on the Elk Horn, in accordance 
 with the instructions left by President Young. Apostles Parley 
 P. Pratt and John Taylor exercised general supervision of the 
 emigrants, who were directed by the committee appointed for 
 this purpose. There were all told about 560 wagons, 1,553 
 men, women and children, with about 5,000 head of stock. 
 John Young was the general commander, with John Van Cott, 
 marshal. Then there were four captains of hundreds Daniel 
 Spencer, Edward Hunter, Jedediah M. Grant, Abraham O. 
 Smoot with sub-captains and divisions of "fifties" and "tens;" 
 also an "artillery company" under General C. C. Rich. Among 
 the many prominent founders of Utah who were along with 
 these camps may be named George Q. Cannon (then a youth of 
 twenty), Eliza R. Snow, John Smith (who on October 3 fol- 
 lowing was sustained as President of the Salt Lake stake), 
 LorinFair, the Thatchers, Samuel and JohnBennion, William 
 Hyde, Jacob Gates, William W. Riter, William C. Staines, 
 Jesse N. Smith, Chauncey W. West, Hairison Sperry, Jesse 
 N. Smith, Joseph C. Kingsbury, Elijah F. Sheets and others. 
 
 The Saints left the Elk Horn in two companies on the 
 18th of June and the 4th of July. Their progress was hindered 
 by stampedes and the loss of cattle ; and they had some trouble 
 with the Indians. There were six or seven deaths and a num- 
 ber of births on the journey. Their meetings with the pioneers 
 were occasions of great rejoicings. On the Sweetwater, a grand 
 feast was held in honor of President Young, at the instance of 
 Elder Taylor and Bishop Hunter. Important councils were 
 held at various times, and the Saints, who now learned for the 
 first time where their distination was, were cheered and en- 
 couraged by the returning pioneers. 
 
 *Says Wilford Woodruff: "We have traveled with heavily laden wagons more than a 
 thousand miles, over rough roads, mountains and canyons, searching out a land, a resting 
 place for the Saints. We have laid out a city two miles square, and Duilt a fort of hewn 
 timber drawn seven miles from the mountains, and of sun-dried bricks and adobes, sur- 
 rounding ten acres of ground, forty rods of which is covered with block houses, besides 
 planting about ten acres of corn and vegetables. All this we have done in a single month." 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 93 
 
 In the latter part of September, the companies began 
 arriving in the Valley, and before the middle of October all 
 the trains had reached the journey's end in safety. 
 
 Reaching Winter Quarters on the 31st of October, the re- 
 turning brethren, many of whom had not seen their families 
 since the eventful July 16, 1846, when they parted with them 
 at their country's call, were warmly greeted by their friends 
 and loved ones. 
 
 5. Migration of the Main Body West. 
 
 There were now two stakes of Zion one on the Missouri, 
 which continued to be the headquarters, owing to the presence 
 of President Young and most of the Twelve, and one on the 
 borders of the Great Salt Lake, in the midst of the mountains. 
 A thousand miles apart, separated but united, cheerful but 
 struggling still with hardships and ever-recurring new difficul- 
 ties, the Saints spent the winter of 1847-8. 
 
 In Winter Quarters, they had prospered abundantly. 
 True, there had been some sickness and deaths, but the climate 
 was much improved. On the whole, health, abiding peace, and 
 good will prevailed among the faithful inhabitants. In con- 
 tentment and quiet, the winter passed away, preparations being 
 eagerly made for the contemplated migration in the spring. 
 During these days the leaders often met in counsel and were 
 instructed by President Young in subjects pertaining to 
 the task of the migration which lay before them; these consisted 
 of dissertations on religion, doctrine and moral conduct, as 
 well as details of travel, irrigation, needs and requirements on 
 the road, and on arrival in the new and then unknown home. 
 
 On the 5th of December, at a council of the apostles, it 
 was decided to organize the First Presidency, vacant since the 
 martyrdom of the Prophet. Brigham Young, the chief apostle, 
 was then chosen President of the Church of Jesus Christ of 
 Latter-day Saints. The action of the Twelve was ratified at 
 a conference of the Church on the 27th, and on the 8th of 
 October the following year was confirmed by a conference at 
 Great Salt Lake City. The apostles also Issued a general 
 epistle, calling upon the Saints to gather to the new Zion in the 
 
94 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 mountains, and upon all "presidents, and emperors, and kings 
 and princes, and nobles and governors, and rulers, and judges, 
 and all nations and kindreds, tongues and people under the 
 whole heaven, to come and help us to build a house to the name 
 of the God of Jacob, a place of peace, a city of rest, a habita- 
 tion for the oppressed of every clime."* 
 
 The seventeen hundred souls who dwelt in Great Salt 
 Lake City passed through the season enjoying moderate com- 
 fort under the circumstances.** The winter was mild with 
 but little snow. On October 3, after theii arrival, the first 
 stake organization was completed. Father John Smith, presi- 
 dent; Charles C. Rich and John Young, counselors. A High 
 Council was also organized. Tarleton Lewis was chosen bishop. 
 Some of the Battalion men, returning from California, brought 
 wheat, corn, potatoes and garden seed, while more seeds, also 
 live stock, were subsequently imported by settlers who visited 
 the coast. In the spring, wild sego and parsnip roots, and later 
 thistle tops, constituted the vegetable diet. Their beef had been 
 very poor. Dissecting some of it, at one time, Elder Taylor, 
 of the Council of the Twelve, suggested that the saw be greased 
 to make it work. In some instances, skins served in lieu of 
 clothing. Catamounts, wolves, foxes, mice, and bedbugs each 
 contributed to make matters unpleasant for the new settlers. 
 
 The most serious plague, however, was yet to come. It 
 was the crickets. Appearing in May and June, 1848, black 
 legions of these pests invaded the fields and gardens, literally 
 sweeping the earth clean wherever they passed. All the efforts 
 of the settlers, who, living upon sego roots and thistles, fought 
 with the desperation of souls who have starvation staring them 
 in the face, to save their crops were unavailing. There seemed 
 to be no help. The harvest would go, and with it the lives 
 dependent upon it! At this critical time, immense flocks of 
 gulls came from the islands of the lake to feast upon the crick- 
 ets. All day they ate, gorged, vomited, then feasted again, 
 returning each day, until the cricket foe was vanquished. The 
 thankful and astonished settlers looked on in wonder, praising 
 God that through a manifestation of his providence they were 
 
 *See Millennial Star, Vol. 10, p. 81. 
 
 **They dwelt in 423 houses, had 5,133 acres of cultivated land and 875 acres sown 
 with winter wheat. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 95 
 
 saved! It is not strange that to this day the gull is a sacred 
 bird among the Saints. In memory of their service to the un- 
 daunted pioneer, the children of the new State of Utah, should 
 ever hold in loving reverence the gull and the sego lily. * 
 
 On the 10th day of August, the settlers celebrated their 
 first harvest home. "Large sheaves of wheat," says Parley 
 P. Pratt, "rye, barley, oats and other productions were hoisted 
 on poles for public exhibition, and there was prayer and thanks- 
 giving,, congratulations, songs, speeches, music, dancing, smiling 
 faces, and merry hearts." Some of the Battalion men, who had 
 remained at woik in California, returning, increased the popu- 
 lation to about 1,800 souls. They were among the first to dis- 
 cover the gold fields which were soon to set aflame the civilized 
 world. Some of the dust they brought with them to the valley. 
 
 Turning now to the Missouri, we find that early in 1848, 
 active operations were engaged in to migrate the main body of 
 the Church to the mountains. Winter Quarters would shortly 
 be vacated. Desiring an outfitting post in the East, the "Mor- 
 mon" leaders petitioned the legislature of Iowa for the organ- 
 ization of Pottawatomie county, and built the town of Kanes- 
 ville, east of the river a few miles above the present city of 
 Council Bluffs. At this place, for several years, their emigra- 
 tions were equipped for the journeys over the plains. Coming 
 from Europe they sailed up the rivers from New Orleans. The 
 first river-route company came under direction of Elder Frank- 
 lin D. Richards, landing in Winter Quarters a short time before 
 the first company of that year started for the mountains. 
 
 In preparation of the approaching departure, on Sunday, 
 May 14, President Young publicly pronounced blessings upon 
 
 *On October 1, 1913, a monument, said to be the first bird monument in the world, 
 was dedicated by President Joseph F. Smith, on the Temple Block grounds of Salt Lake 
 City. It was unveiled by Emmeline B. Wells, president of the Relief Society of the Church, 
 and is the work of Mahonri M. Young, a grandson of the great Pioneer, and an associate 
 member of the National Academy of Design, New York. In unveiling the monument, 
 Mrs. Wells said: "It is a poetic coincidence that our idea of national freedom from op- 
 pression, and our idea of state deliverance from starvation, should be represented by birds. 
 The eagle, majestic monarch of the air, is represented on shield, and coin, and tablet of 
 bronze, all over the broad land. The gentle gull, humble habitant of the shores of our 
 Great Salt Sea, has found shrine heretofore only in the grateful memories of this valley's 
 pioneers and decendants. My heart swells with thanksgiving that we are now to preserve 
 in sculptural art the miraculous incident, we all know so well; and I now have the honor 
 to unveil this beautiful monument to the eye and admiration of grateful thousands now 
 living, and of untold thousands yet to come." Improvement Era, November, 1913, pp. 
 65-73, contains an extended account of the event. 
 
96 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 those who were going with him to the valley, as well as upon 
 those who were to remain. On this occasion, he prophesied 
 that the Saints would never be driven from the Rocky Moun- 
 tains. On the 24th, he led out for the Elk Horn, where the 
 companies were thoroughly organized.* They began their 
 westward travels about the beginning of June. There were 
 three companies Brigham Young, who had general command 
 of all of them (Daniel H. Wells, his aide-de-camp, and H. S. 
 Eldridge, marshal), came first with 1,229 souls, and 397 wagons; 
 Heber C. Kimball, with 662 souls and 226 wagons; Willard 
 Richards, with 526 souls and 169 wagons.** When the last 
 wagon left, on the 3rd of July, Winter Quarters was almost 
 deserted. With this emigration were such famous men in 
 Utah history as Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Joseph 
 F. Smith, Newel K. Whitney, Robert T. Burton, Hosea Stout, 
 and many others. Several of the apostles who were to go on 
 missions remained in Kanesville, where, on February 7, 1849, 
 Orson Hyde began the publication of the Frontier Guardian. 
 
 The companies all followed in the route of the Pioneers. 
 President Young arrived in Great Salt Lake City on the 20th 
 of September, 1848, and within a month all the trains had 
 safely entered the valley. Their presence swelled the popula- 
 tion to 5,000 souls. 
 
 The Church was now in the "Great American Desert," 
 led thither under the inspired direction of Brigham Young, one 
 of the greatest colonizers our country has ever known. It was 
 a desolate abiding place, shunned by all who passed because 
 of its sterility. It was the most inhospitable and forbidding 
 portion of the vast western region of which the great statesman, 
 Daniel Webster, said: "What do we want with this vast, worth- 
 less area? This region of savages and wild beasts, of deserts, 
 of shifting sands and whirlwinds of dust, of cactus and prairie 
 dogs? To what use could we ever hope to put these great 
 
 *"To those who met them on the route, the strict order of their march, their coolness 
 and rapidity in closing ranks to repel assaults, their method in posting sentries around camp 
 and corral, suggested rather the movement of a well-organized army than the migration 
 of a people; and in truth, few armies have been better organized or more ably led than 
 was this army of the Lord.'' Bancroft's "History of Utah," p. 284. 
 
 **There were besides in all the companies, 2,012 oxen, 983 cows, 131 horses. 116 mules, 
 634 sheep, 334 loose cattle, 33? pigs, 904 chickens 184 dogs, 54 oa.ts, 3 goats, 1 goose, 5 
 ducks, 11 doves, 1 squirrel, 5 hives of bees,, 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 97 
 
 deserts, or those endless mountain ranges, impenetrable, and 
 covered to their very base with eternal snow?" 
 
 Yet, in the heart of this domain, the exiled Latter-day 
 Saints chose to build their homes. They loved it because of 
 its promise of liberty; because of the freedom that encircled 
 them. By arduous toil and the blessings of God, they have 
 built their numerous thrifty cities, subdued the sandy desert, 
 made a garden of the wilderness, and expanded over its distant 
 borders to plant their settlements in many surrounding states. 
 
 6. Colonization. 
 
 To obtain pasturage for their stock, several of the pioneers, 
 soon after their arrival, pressed north, founding the settlements 
 in what is now Davis county.* These new places continued to 
 thrive, and before the close of 1848 there were colonies near 
 the present Bountiful, Kaysville, Farmington, and in other 
 places. In January of that year Captain James Brown pur- 
 chased the Miles Goodyear claim which included the present 
 site of Ogden City, and the greater portion of Weber county. 
 
 These movements to occupy the land were made agreeable 
 to the instructions of President Young, and were a part of his 
 grand scheme to colonize the mountain region with his people. 
 Upon his arrival, in September, 1848, this matter was upper- 
 most in his mind, but he found that the first great question to 
 be solved was how to husband the short supply of food. The 
 crops were not so abundant that there would be sufficient for 
 the now increased population. The new companies had brought 
 only little with them. As a result, before a new harvest, there 
 was great scarcity of food, much privation and suffering among 
 the people, which, however, were materially alleviated by the 
 spirit of kindness, oneness and helpfulness that prevailed.** 
 In community fashion the needy were helped by those who had 
 supplies. To add to their misfortunes, the winter of 1848-9 
 was very severe. 
 
 *So named after Captain D. C. Davis of the Mormon Battalion, who settled near 
 the present site of Farmington. 
 
 **"Roots had to be dug from the ground for food, raw hides were torn down from roofs, 
 cut into shreds and cooked. Very little game was found near the city; some fish were ob- 
 tained." Contributor, Vol. 2, p. 176. 
 
98 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 
 
 It was while the people were thus distressed that Heber 
 C. Kimball prophesied that within three years "States goods" 
 would be sold cheaper in Salt Lake Valley than in New York. 
 His prophetic utterance found remarkable fulfilment when the 
 adventurous gold hunters from all parts of the earth made 
 Salt Lake their "half -way house," leaving their merchandise, 
 provisions and implements, with the destitute settlers in ex- 
 change for animals to carry them more hurriedly to their 
 destination. This was in 1849, and when the settlers grandly 
 celebrated the second aniversary of their arrival into the Valley, 
 the prophecy uttered the year previous was being fulfilled. At 
 the grand feast, hundreds of west-bound emigrants dined with 
 the happy Saints. But even this manifestation of divine pro- 
 vision was not enough to prevent some of the Saints from con- 
 tracting the gold fever. It took the best efforts and the wisest 
 judgment of their leaders to intercept the threatened general 
 migration to the golden west, which would have been then as 
 great a calamity as could have befallen the Church. 
 
 The people were stirred to activity. In the fall of 1848, 
 five thousand acres of land were plotted for fencing and cul- 
 tivation, over eight hundred were sowed in winter wheat. The 
 council house was projected, roads were constructed, grist and 
 saw mills were erected, bridges built, and a proposition was 
 made to bring the waters of the Big Cottonwood to the city. 
 Lots were distributed to the settlers, some of whom, moving 
 out of the "Fcrt," settled upon these. To obviate the incon- 
 venience of a lack of circulating medium, pending the procur- 
 ing of a stamp to coin the gold dust brought by the Battalion 
 men, a paper currency was issued in January, 1849. Fifty- 
 cent and one-dollar bills, upon which the first printing in the 
 Valley was done, were stamped; and a resolution was passed 
 placing certain Kirtland Bank Bills in circulation, thus making 
 these notes as good as gold in fulfilment of a prophecy to that 
 effect by the Prophet Joseph. Later, the gold dust was coined 
 into $2.50, $5, $10 and $20 pieces which were used until super- 
 seded by legal tender, when they were disposed of as bullion 
 to the Federal mints, 
 
 Keeping constantly in view their religious duties in the 
 midst of their temporal labors, the organizations of the Church 
 were never neglected. On February 12, 1849, the quorum of 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 99 
 
 Twelve was filled by the calling and ordination of Charles C. 
 Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards 
 to the apostleship. A permanent stake organization was also 
 perfected, and the city was divided into nineteen ecclesiastical 
 wards with a bishop over each. The gathering was not for- 
 gotten. In 1849, there were about thirty thousand Saints in 
 Great Britain, ten thousand of whom had joined the Church 
 in the past fifteen months. To assist in redeeming the country, 
 as well as to carry out the commands of God, it was desirable 
 that these should be brought to the mountains. For the pur- 
 pose of aiding the poor among them to migrate, the Perpetual 
 Emigrating Fund was established in October. A large sum of 
 money was obtained for this fund which was kept in operation 
 thereafter for upwards of forty years, and was the means of 
 assisting thousands to emigrate from the poverty of the Old 
 World to the better surroundings of the New. Bishop Edward 
 Hunter was sent to the frontier to put its provisions into opera- 
 tion, and to take charge of the next season's emigration. At 
 the same time many prominent elders were called to go to 
 various parts of the earth on missions. They opened the Gospel 
 door in France, Scandinavia, Italy, Lower California and in 
 the Society Islands, or were sent to other regions to continue 
 the work of promulgation. The first company brought across 
 the plains by the Emigrating Company arrived in Salt Lake 
 on the 13th of October, 1850. 
 
 Colonization continued. What is now Utah, Sanpete 
 and Tooele counties, were explored and settled, also Sevier, 
 Iron and other southern counties. Later followed exploring 
 parties and colonies to all parts of the territory. In each of 
 these, the various crafts were represented. They provided 
 themselves with plenty of provisions, stocks, implements and 
 other necessaries. They were generally composed of volunteers, 
 and were sent out by the great colonizer, Brigham Young, under 
 proper ecclesiastical organization. Until the introduction of a 
 regular civil government, the Church officers held secular or 
 temporal administration over the people. The public labors 
 were performed under their direction, they were the judges 
 among the people, and under their supervision and advice 
 went on the great work of founding and building cities, of 
 redeeming the desert. Marvelous indeed are the labors of 
 
100 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 these empire founders. At present, they and their children 
 occupy the country extending for over a thousand miles from 
 Mexico to Canada, and their numerous thrifty cities and 
 villages are found in the valleys of the mountains in nearly 
 every state and territory of the mighty West. The Saints are 
 the remnants of Israel gathered out from the coasts of the earth, 
 and truly God hath wrought through them "a marvelous work 
 and a wonder." 
 
 7. Utah Territory Organized Events Following. 
 
 Up to the spring of 1849, when the political history of 
 Utah properly begins, the settlers had been governed exclusive- 
 ly by the excellent ecclesiastical organizations. There had 
 been little need and less time for civil government, but as emi- 
 grants of other faiths began to come into their midst, there 
 was a desire among the leaders of the people to come in under 
 the folds of the Union, as indeed there had been from the be- 
 ginning, notwithstanding they had been driven by fanatics and 
 outlaws of our nation to a foreign country. 
 
 By the treaty of Gaudalupe Hildalgo, signed February 2, 
 1848, the United States had come into the possession of the 
 vast western region from which was afterward formed the 
 states and territories of California, Nevada, Utah, New Mex- 
 ico and Arizona. The Saints were well nigh the only occupants 
 of the new domain, and they were hopeful and energetic 
 enough to believe that in time they could subdue and occupy 
 the country which they had assisted in wresting from Mexico, 
 and opened up to civilization. 
 
 With a view of introducing civil government to this area, 
 early in March, 1849, a convention was called of "all the citizens 
 of that part of Upper California lying east of the Sierra Nevada 
 mountains, to take into consideration the propriety of organiz- 
 ing a territorial or state government." This convention as- 
 sembled in Salt Lake City on the 4th of March. A memorial, 
 signed by Brigham Young and 2,270 others, was sent to Con- 
 gress, as a result of this convention, on April 30, asking for a 
 "territorial government of the most liberal construction au- 
 thorized by our most excellent federal constitution, with the 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 101 
 
 least possible delay," which was carried to Washington by 
 Dr. J. M. Bernhisel. 
 
 At the convention, a committee was also selected to draft 
 a constitution under which the people might govern themselves, 
 until Congress should take action and otherwise provide by 
 law. On the 10th of March, the constitution was adopted and 
 a Provisional Government was organized under the name of 
 the State of Deseret. A legislature, or General Assembly of 
 the State of Deseret, consisting of Senate and House of Repre- 
 sentatives, was also elected with powers and duties defined. 
 Brigham Young was elected Governor.* Under this form of 
 government purely "Mormon," and not yet sanctioned by the 
 authority of Congress, the new state was governed for nearly 
 two years. Justice was equitably administered to all both 
 non-"Mormon" and "Mormon," and the decisions of the 
 courts, constantly appealed to by passing emigrants, were re- 
 markable for fairness and impartiality.** 
 
 On July 2, 1849, the General Assembly of Deseret met at 
 Salt Lake City, and by joint agreement of its two houses, it 
 was decided to pray for the admission of Deseret as a state of 
 the Union. A new memorial was consequently then prepared. 
 Almon W. Babbit was elected delegate to Congress, and was 
 sent to Washington, bearing the memorial and the constitution 
 of the proposed state. Mr. Babbit presented his documents to 
 Congress, with his credentials as delegate from the Provisional 
 State of Deseret, through Senator Stephen A. Douglas, on the 
 27th of December of that year; but his petition was denied, 
 and he was, of course, not admitted to Congress. Instead, 
 after a delay of nine months, Congress passed a bill entitled, 
 "An act to establish a territorial government for Utah," pro- 
 viding for the organization of Utah Territory, which was signed 
 by President Millard Fillmore, and went into force on the 9th 
 of September, 1850. The President appointed officers for the 
 
 *Willard Richards, secretary; Horace S. Eldredge, marshal; Daniel H. Wells.attorney- 
 general; besides an assessor and collector, a treasurer, and supervisor of roads; also three 
 judges Heber C. Kimball, chief justice, and John Taylor and Newel K. Whitney, associ- 
 ates. The Bishops of the several wards were elected as magistrates. 
 
 **So testified Captain Howard Stansbury, of the U. S. Army Corps of Topographical 
 Engineers, who came to Salt Lake City, on the 28th of August, 1849, wintered there, and 
 remained with his expedition in the Territory for a whole year, exploring and surveying 
 the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, also Utah Lake and its vicinity, also a route from the 
 valley to Fort Hall. His widely circulated report to the Government is authority through- 
 out the world in relation to Utah and the people who reclaimed it from a desert. 
 
102 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Territory, as follows: Brigham Young, Governor; B. D. Harris, 
 Secretary; Joseph Buffington, Chief Justice; Perry C. Brocchus 
 and Zerubbabel Snow, Associate Justices; Seth M. Blair, 
 Attorney; and Joseph L. Hey wood, Marshal. 
 
 The news of the organization of the Territory and the 
 appointment of the Governor and other officers did not reach 
 the valley until January 27, 1851, being even then unofficially 
 conveyed by way of San Francisco, through New York news- 
 papers which were brought to Salt Lake by Mr. Henry E. 
 Gibson. 
 
 On the 5th of April, 1851, Governor Young, who had taken 
 the oath of office on the 3rd of February, dissolved the General 
 Assembly of the State of Deseret, and thus changed the pro- 
 visional to the territorial form of government, merging the 
 State into the Territory of Utah. 
 
 Among the more important of the many acts of the Pro- 
 visional Assembly, afterward made legal by the territorial 
 legislature, may be mentioned the creation of Salt Lake, Weber, 
 Utah, Sanpete, Juab and Tooele counties, and the granting of 
 a charter to the University of Deseret in the winter of 1849-50; 
 the passing of acts incorporating Salt Lake City (January 9), 
 Ogden City, the city of Manti, Provo City and Parowan City 
 (February 6), and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
 Saints (February 8), in 1851. 
 
 On the first Monday of August, 1851, an election was held, 
 at which were chosen a legislature and a Delegate to Congress, 
 Dr. Bernhisel, who was the first to represent Utah in that body. 
 
 With the arrival of Judge Brocchus, in August, all the 
 federal judges were in the territory, and had been assigned by 
 the Governor to their districts. Judge Brocchus (who was 
 appointed with Secretary Harris and Judge Brandebury in- 
 stead of Mr. Buffington, declined), soon became dissatisfied 
 with his position, being doubtless disappointed in not being 
 elected by the "Mormons" to Congress. The result of this 
 disaffection was a breach, which was a beginning of the long 
 controversy between the Federal judges and the Latter-day 
 Saints. 
 
 Being invited to speak at a public meeting early in Septem- 
 ber, Judge Brocchus shamefully abused the people and their 
 institutions. He was severely rebuked by President Young. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 103 
 
 Not long after this episode, the Secretary and the two Judges 
 informed the Governor that they would return to Washington. 
 They did so on September 28, carrying with them the territorial 
 seal, records and 'documents, as well as $24,000 appropriated 
 by Congress for the per diem of the legislature. These "run- 
 away judges and secretary," by which sobriquet they became 
 known, made their report to the proper national officials, and 
 falsely asserted that they were forced to leave Utah on account 
 of the lawless acts and seditious tendencies of Governor Brig- 
 ham Young and the majority of the citizens. Their scheme 
 to create trouble for the Saints did not succeed, however, as 
 they had expected, for they were forced to retire, the Presi- 
 dent appointing in their stead, on the 15th of August, 1852, 
 Lazarus H. Reed, chief justice, with Leonidas Shaver, asso- 
 ciate, and Benjamin G. Farris, of anti-"Mormon" book fame, 
 secretary. The vacancies in the meantime were temporarily 
 filled by gubernatorial appointment, a full explanation being 
 rendered to the President of the United States. The next 
 Federal officials were Chief Justice John F. Kinney, appointed 
 August 24, 1854; Associate Justice George P. Stiles, August 
 1, 1854; Judge W. W. Drummond, September 12, 1854. The 
 latter two became chiefly instrumental in bringing about the 
 "Utah War." 
 
 While these political changes were being made, other more 
 important events were transpiring among the people of Utah. 
 Desiring a closer association with the other citizens of the 
 Union, the Governor and Legislative Assembly, as early as 
 March 3, 1852, memorialized Congress for the construction of 
 a national central railroad to the Pacific coast, also for a tele- 
 graph line, setting forth among other things as their reasons for 
 this desire "that the immense emigration to and from the 
 Pacific requires the immediate attention, guardian care and 
 fostering assistance of the greatest and most libeial govern- 
 ment on the face of the earth." "That an eligible route can 
 be obtained that the mineral resources of California and these 
 mountains can never be fully developed to the benefit of the 
 people of the United States without the construction of such 
 a road; and upon its completion the entire trade of China and 
 the East Indies will pass through the heart of the Union, 
 thereby giving our citizens almost the control of the Asiatic 
 
104 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 and Pacific trade, pouring into the lap of the American States 
 the millions that are now diverted through other commercial 
 channels." Again, in Governor Young's message to the legis- 
 lature, in 1853, he urges the necessity of a national iron high- 
 way, and calls attention to the importance of properly pre- 
 senting the matter before Congress. A great mass meeting was 
 accordingly held in January, 1854, in which the people took 
 steps to further memorialize Congress for the construction of 
 a railway via Salt Lake City to the Pacific. But other petitions 
 were necessary, and over fifteen years were to elapse before 
 the iron horse should awake the echoes in their mountain re- 
 treat. 
 
 With the arrival of fresh emigrants, the growth and ex- 
 tension of the cities and villages continued, until there was a 
 chain of thirty "Mormon" settlements from Bear River, on 
 the north, to the rim of the Great Basin, on the south, and to 
 the east and west of Salt Lake City. Public buildings and stores 
 were erected, coal and iron mines developed, grist and saw 
 mills were busy in all parts. Encouraged by legislative ap- 
 propriation and protection, home manufacturing establish- 
 ments sprang up in various places. Ten thousand dollars of 
 the territorial revenue of something over twenty-six thousand, 
 were expended for fostering infant industries, for surveys, 
 roads and bridges and for educational purposes. It should be 
 remembered that among the "Mormon" colonizeis, the school 
 house was the first public building to be erected in every settle- 
 ment. 
 
 On April 6, 1853, the corner stone of the great Temple at 
 Salt Lake City was laid, ground having been broken for the 
 foundation on the 14th of February previous. It was dedi- 
 cated forty years later, April 6, 1893, and has been pronounced 
 "a structure unsurpassed if not unequaled for beauty and sub- 
 limity by any other edifice in America." 
 
 At the October conference, 1853, many were called to 
 strengthen the settlements in Iron, Tooele, Sanpete, Box Elder 
 and Juab counties. 
 
 As a rule only little trouble was experienced with the 
 Indians, owing chiefly to the wise course adopted by President 
 Young in treating them. His life-long policy toward the red 
 men, which has saved much property and many lives in Utah, 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 105 
 
 is embodied in this utterance of his which he ever put faith- 
 fully into practice as a private individual, as Governor and 
 Government Indian Agent, and as President of the Church: 
 "It is cheaper to feed the Indians than to fight them." But 
 their treatment under these conditions, and with the careful 
 diplomacy of the great "Mormon" leader, did not entirely 
 prevent conflicts with them. The first troubles occurred in 
 1850-1, then followed a period of peace until 1853, when the 
 Ute war broke out, instigated doubtless by Mexican traders, 
 who came to Utah and supplied the Indians with firearms, 
 ammunition, horses, etc., taking in exchange Indian women 
 and children, who were subsequently sold into slavery. Gover- 
 nor Young proclaimed against this traffic, which displeased both 
 traders and Indians. Passing emigrants also did much injury 
 by shooting Indians without cause. In the spring of 1854, 
 the trouble was ended in a treaty of peace. As a result of the 
 conflict, about twenty whites and a large number of Indians 
 were killed, while the people and the territory together suffered 
 a loss of about $300,000. 
 
 The chief item of religious interest was the public avowal 
 of polygamy, at a conference of the Church in Salt Lake City, 
 August 29, 1852. Plural marriage, included in the doctrine of 
 celestial marriage, was practiced long before this time by the 
 Saints in Nauvoo, Winter Quarters, and also in Utah. It was 
 first made known to Joseph Smith, the Prophet, in 1831; 
 and in Nauvoo, in 1841, was introduced by him to a number of 
 leading elders, and practiced by them and the Prophet.* 
 The revelation on celestial marriage was recorded July 12, 
 1843.** Celestial marriage may, but does not necessarily, 
 include a plurality of 'wives; it consists of the eternity of the 
 marriage covenant between man and wife. When a marriage 
 is sealed by the Holy Priesthood, which has power to bind on 
 earth and it is bound in heaven, the man and wife have not 
 alone claim upon each other in time, but in eternity also 
 they are husband and wife after the resurrection. The doctrine 
 revolutionizes the idea of marriage as entertained by mankind 
 in general, which is usually considered to be a contract lasting 
 
 *See Jensen's "Historical Record," pp. 219-234; "Gospel Doctrine," pp. 619-20. 
 **Doctrine and Co^nants, Section 132. 
 
106 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 only in this life; and declares that the association of the sexes 
 thus entered into is eternal, that our relations here as husbands, 
 wives, families, continue in the celestial spheres. Marriage 
 thus becomes one of the chief means of man's exaltation and 
 glory in the world to come, whereby he may have endless in- 
 crease of eternal lives, and attain at length to the power of 
 the Godhead.* It was this glorious doctrine, in connection 
 with baptism, redemption and sealing for the dead, that was 
 the uppermost theme of the Prophet Joseph during the last 
 two years or more of his life. 
 
 On this August day, here amidst the liberty of the moun- 
 tains, Brigham Young saw fit to publicly proclaim this consol- 
 ing doctrine, including also that portion of it relating to the 
 plurality of wives the latter a principle which Joseph and the 
 leading elders only, had heretofore privately entertained and 
 practiced, because it came in conflict with the prejudice, educa- 
 tion, traditions and sentiments of the age. Then followed the 
 promulgation of the doctrine by missionaries to the whole 
 world. Afterward, polygamy became the leading question for 
 contention between the officers of the government and the 
 "Mormons," until the practice was finally suspended by a 
 manifesto of President Wilford Woodruff, dated September 
 24, 1890. At the following October conference the Church 
 accepted his declaration as authoritative and binding, and a 
 plurality of wives is now neither taught nor practiced. But 
 marriages for time and eternity are entered into by all the 
 faithful Saints in the holy temples which dot the landscape of 
 their Zion. 
 
 8. Events from 1854 to 1857. 
 
 As Governor Young's first term was drawing to a close, 
 it became evident that the false stories circulated about him 
 and his people, chiefly by the "runaways" and by Secretary 
 Ferris, had so influenced the Nation's Executive that he would 
 not appoint the "Mormon" governor for a second term. The 
 
 *"God, Himself, was once as we are now, and is an exalted Man, and sits enthroned 
 in yonder heavens. ... It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty the 
 character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with 
 another, and that he was once a man like us." History of Joseph Smith, "Millennial 
 Star," Vol. 23, page 246. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 107 
 
 action of Colonel E. J. Steptoe, however, changed his deter- 
 mination. The Colonel arrived in Utah in August, 1854, with 
 a detachment of troops on his way to California. To him Presi- 
 dent Franklin Pierce tendered the governorship. This the 
 Colonel respectfully declined, and with leading citizens, "Mor- 
 mon" and non-"Mormon," federal officials and army officers, 
 petitioned for the re-appointment of the present incumbent. 
 The memorial had the desired effect. The request was granted, 
 and Brigham Young received the appointment as Governor 
 and Superintendent of Indian Affairs. 
 
 Colonel Steptoe remained with his troops in the territory 
 over winter, continuing on good terms with the Saints. He 
 had orders to arrest and bring to trial the perpetrators of the 
 Gunnison massacre,* which he succeeded in doing. Eight 
 Indians being arrested were tried for murder; among them was 
 the chief Kanosh, who, with four others, was acquitted, while 
 a verdict of manslaughter was returned against the remaining 
 three. 
 
 In the spring of 1855, Morgan county was settled by Jede- 
 diah Morgan Grant. Orson Hyde pushed west and established 
 a colony in Carson Valley, now in Nevada. During the Buch- 
 anan War that soori followed, the settlements in the valley 
 were broken up. 
 
 On the 10th of May, 1855, Charles C. Rich, George Q. 
 Cannon, Joseph Bull and others left for San Francisco. There, 
 Elder Cannon established the weekly Western Standard, pub- 
 lishing the first issue on the 23rd of February, 1856, about 
 which time his translation of the Book of Mormon in the 
 Hawaiian language also appeared. 
 
 Judge George P. Stiles, succeeded Judge Snow, at the 
 expiration of the latter's term, in 1854. After the death of 
 Chief Justice Reed, in New York, in March, 1855, Judge 
 John F. Kinney was appointed to succeed him. Judge Leonidas 
 Shaver died in Salt Lake City, June 29, 1855, and was succeeded 
 by Judge W. W. Drummond. Both Judges Reed and Shaver 
 
 *Lieutenant John W. Gunnison, afterwards Captain, had assisted Captain Stansbury 
 in his labors. Encamped on the Sevier, engaged in surveying a railway route, he was cruelly 
 killed by the Indians, October 25, 1853. Gunnison, Sanpete County, was named in honor 
 of this friend of Utah and her people. He wrote a valuable and impartial work on "The 
 Mormons." 
 
108 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 were greatly respected by the people, who sincerely mourned 
 their death. 
 
 The legislature met for the first time in Fillmore, the new 
 capital of the territory, on the 10th of December, 1855. In 
 January of the following year, the population of the territory 
 is given as 76,335. During this session another unsuccessful 
 effort was made for the admission of Utah into the Union. 
 John Taylor, then editor of The Mormon, in New York, and 
 George A. Smith, were elected delegates to present the memorial 
 and constitution to Congress. Cache and Box Elder counties 
 were created besides a number of counties in Carson Valley. 
 
 The crops of 1854-5 had failed owing to draught and grass- 
 hoppers. The winter of 1855-6 was unusually severe. Cattle 
 and sheep by the thousand died from cold and starvation. As 
 a result of these combined calamities, the Saints suffered greatly 
 and were once more driven to roots for subsistence. Some there 
 were who had provided for the famine, but their little stores 
 were soon exhausted by their willingness to help the needy. 
 Those who had, gave to those who had not. Much suffering 
 was thus relieved or prevented. "Unity and equality those 
 watch-words of the United Order were once more emphasized 
 in the dealings of the 'Mormon' people with one another and 
 with the needy of all classes and creeds among them."* 
 
 To add to the troubles of these times, the Indians preci- 
 pitated another war known as the Tintic War. It caused the 
 death of twelve of the settlers. Indian depredations on the 
 plains were also numerous in 1856. 
 
 But that year's greatest calamity, penetrating the whole 
 Church with its grief and gloom, befell the late handcart com- 
 panies. "It had been decided by the 'Mormon' leaders that 
 a cheaper and more expeditious method of bringing the emi- 
 grants across the great plains would be by handcarts in lieu of 
 ox-teams and wagons. The carts, manufactured on the frontier, 
 were to carry the baggage and provisions, and the stronger men 
 were to pull them."** There were in all five companies of 
 emigrating Saints, mostly from England, who had decided to 
 
 *Whitney's "History of Utah," Vol. 1, p. 548. 
 
 **For full accounts of the handcart companies, written by John Chislett and John 
 Jaques, see Whitney's "History of Utah," Vol. 1, pp. 558-564. See also Improvement 
 Era, for an illustrated account, Vol. 17, pp. 3, 108, 201, 287. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 109 
 
 cross the plains in that way, traversing deserts, wading rivers, 
 climbing mountains, a distance of thirteen hundred miles to 
 Salt Lake City. Three companies arrived in the Valley after 
 a three months' journey, comparatively in good condition; 
 but the last two were caught in the snows and storms of an 
 early winter. After suffering starvation and untold hardships 
 their remnants finally arrived in the Valley, the last delayed 
 company, composed of six hundred persons, having lost more 
 than one-fourth of their numbers by death. All would have 
 shared the same fate had not relief parties, risking their own 
 lives, gone to their assistance. 
 
 9. The Utah Expedition. 
 
 While Judges Reed and Shaver had been regarded with 
 much favor by the Latter-day Saints, and Judge Kinney was 
 now so regarded, it was evident from the first that Judges 
 Stiles and Drummond would not so be considered. The reason 
 is plain. Their characters were so low and vicious as to com- 
 mand no respect. The former was a characterless renegade 
 "Mormon;" the latter, a gambler and lecher.* And these two 
 men, but more especially Drummond, did more than any 
 others to bring about the trouble which is known as the "Mor- 
 mon War," or properly speaking, President "Buchanan's 
 egregious blunder." 
 
 Little attention had been paid by the general Government 
 to Utah. It had taken occasion to slight her and her just de- 
 mands, in the matter of admission to the sisterhood of states, 
 and in appropriations such as were made to other territories 
 for the expense of their legislatures, state houses, Indian out- 
 breaks, etc. Then, to make matters worse, such political ad- 
 venturers as have been named were sent to be the judges of 
 the people. These, finding no sympathy among an honest 
 community, laid plans to still aggravate the existing suspicions 
 and indifference of the Nation toward the Latter-day Saints. 
 
 Finding their courts overcrowded after the departure of 
 
 *Speaking of Drummond, Bancroft, "History of Utah," p. 490, says: "Leaving his 
 wife and family in Illinois without means of support, he brought with him a harlot whom he 
 had picked up in the streets of Washington, and, introducing her as Mrs. Drummond, 
 seated her by his side on the judicial bench." 
 
110 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 the "runaway judges," the Utah Legislature passed an act, 
 in 1852, giving the probate court "power to exercise original 
 jurisdiction, both civil and criminal, as well in chancery as in 
 common law, when not prohibited by legislative enactment." 
 Thus arose complications. The federal judges declared that 
 these courts nullified the powers of the higher tribunals, while 
 the Saints maintained that without the powers of the probate 
 courts, they would be left practically without civil and crim- 
 inal jurisdiction. Judges Stiles and Drummond, contrary to 
 the practice of their predecessors, made a direct issue by ig- 
 noring the authority of the lower courts and their officials. 
 The people would not sustain them in this movement, and, 
 being powerless to proceed, Judge Stiles was compelled to 
 adjourn his court. Returning to Washington, in the Spring 
 of 1857, he made affidavit to this effect, declaring, among other 
 things, that his records had been burnt and he threatened with 
 violence. The records, it is true, had been removed from his 
 office, but were in safe-keeping, being later produced. But his 
 report went abroad, creating much adverse criticism of the 
 people. 
 
 Judge Drummond became very unpopular, not alone for 
 moral reasons, but also for his judicial course. At length, he 
 concluded to resign. His letter of resignation, dated March 
 30, 1857, sent to Attorney-General Jeremiah S. Black, sets 
 forth his reasons for this action. He conjures up many wicked 
 lies and groundless accusations. He charges that the records, 
 papers, etc., of the supreme court had been destroyed by order 
 of the Church; that the federal officers were constantly insulted, 
 harassed and annoyed without redress. He charges the Governor 
 with improperly pardoning criminals, advising jurors before- 
 hand, so that no charges but his are obeyed. The judiciary 
 is treated as a farce, the "officers are insulted, harassed and 
 murdered for doing their duty." Closing, he suggests that a 
 new Governor be appointed and "supported with a sufficient 
 military aid." 
 
 This report, and a letter written by a mail contractor 
 named W. F. Magraw, also minor complaints from Indian 
 agents and federal officials, led President Buchanan, without 
 further investigation, to conclude that a rebellion existed in 
 Utah, It has also been said, but not sufficiently sustained by 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. Ill 
 
 direct evidence, that he was instigated by a rebellious desire 
 to scatter the Union forces in case of a conflict with the South 
 on the slavery question, which was then the uppermost topic 
 in the country. The Saints then as now and ver, loyal to 
 their country and its institutions, made answer to all the charges 
 as they were published, but their explanations were deemed 
 insufficient. Brigham Young was superseded in the governor- 
 ship by Alfred Gumming, and an army of two thousand five 
 hundred men, well equipped and supplied, was organized and 
 ordered to march to Salt Lake City, ostensibly as a posse 
 comitatus to sustain his authority; or, if need be, to put down 
 the alleged lawlessness by force. The commander of the troops 
 was instructed, under date of June 29, 1857, how to proceed. 
 
 The mails to Utah had been stopped, leaving the people as 
 ignorant of the coming of the army as they were of having 
 rebelled against their country. It was not until the 24th of 
 July, while patriotically celebrating at the head of Big Cotton- 
 wood Canyon, their advent into the territory ten years 
 before, that President Young and his people were a.ppris- 
 ed of the startling news by three "Mormon" messengers 
 from the east.* In the evening, President Young called 
 the people together, and, addressing them, said, among 
 other expressions: "Liars have reported that this people have 
 committed treason, and upon their misrepresentations the 
 President has ordered out troops to assist in officering this 
 
 territory We have transgressed no law, neither 
 
 do we intend to do so; but as for any nation coming to destroy 
 this people, God Almighty being my helper, it shall not be." 
 Then the celebration went on. There was no excitement, 
 but war became the uppermost theme thereafter. 
 
 On the 8th of September Captain Van Vliet arrived in 
 Salt Lake City, meeting with a cordial reception; his mission 
 was to purchase supplies, and to inform the "Mormons" that 
 the government would not molest nor interfere with them. 
 The object of sending the troops was to install the new officials. 
 
 "I believe you tell the truth," replied Brigham, in an in- 
 terview on September 9, "that you believe this but you do 
 not know their intentions as well as I do. We have 
 
 "Abraham O. Smoot, Judson Stoddard, and O. P. Rockwell. 
 
112 AiBRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 plenty heie of what you want, but we will sell you nothing. 
 Further than this, your army shall not ehtei this valley." 
 
 President Young's experience with military bodies in 
 Missouri and Jllinois, had led him to lose confidence in their 
 asserted designs, and to be suspicious of their intentions. Why 
 had not the officers been sent without the army? There had 
 been no resistance to the civil authorities heretofore, why was 
 it now necessary to install them by the aid of troops? The real 
 design was evidently hidden. It was the extermination of the 
 "Mormons," the spoliation of their homes and possessions, 
 their complete annihilation. So thought Brigham Young, 
 and he dealt accordingly. 
 
 The Captain remonstrated, saying that even if the moun- 
 tain passes could be defended against the army now coming, 
 reinforcements would be sent the following season to overcome 
 all opposition. To which President Young replied: "We are 
 aware that such will be the case; but when these troops arrive, 
 they will find Utah a desert; every house will be burned to the 
 ground, every tree cut down, and every field laid waste." 
 
 The Captain was as deeply impressed as he was astonished. 
 He returned to Washington to report to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Following the Captain's depaiture, Governor Young 
 declared the territory under martial law, September 17. The 
 Nauvoo Legion was thoroughly organized under Lieutenant 
 Daniel H. Wells, and two thousand and five hundred men, young 
 and old, were mustered to prevent the entrance of the troops 
 into the Valley. Early in October, the government army 
 supply trains were burned at Green River by Lot Smith, fol- 
 lowed by the destruction of Fort Bridger. Finally the invading 
 troops, crippled, starved and frozen, were forced to go into 
 winter quaiters on Black's Fork. Excepting a guard, the Utah 
 Militia returned to their homes early in December. So mat- 
 ters rested until Spring, when it was fully expected the conflict 
 would begin anew. 
 
 Meanwhile Governor Young had asked Colonel Thomas L. 
 Kane to present the true situation before President Buchanan. 
 Having done so, the President dispatched the Colonel to Utah 
 as private government envoy with a conciliatory message. He 
 reached Salt Lake City, February 25, 1858, and learned that 
 there would be no objections to the entrance of the new gover- 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 113 
 
 nor without the army, which would not be allowed to ac- 
 company him or to quarter in any city or settlement of the 
 territory. Departing over the snows for Black's Fork, Colonel 
 Kane soon convinced Governor Gumming that he had no need 
 of the army. Then the two departed for Salt Lake City, ar- 
 riving there April 12. After a cordial meeting with President 
 Young, Governor Gumming was duly and peaceably installed 
 in his new position. His noble peace mission now ended, Colonel 
 Kane returned to report his success to Washington. 
 
 What was now to be done with the army? 
 
 In June Governor Powell of Kentucky, and Major Mc- 
 Kulloch of Texas, met President Young as a Peace Commission 
 in Salt Lake City, bearing from the national Executive a full 
 and free pardon for all past seditions and treasons for all of the 
 "Mormons" who would submit to national authority. 
 
 President Young stated his position: "I thank President 
 Buchanan for forgiving me, but I really cannot tell what I 
 have done. I know one thing, and that is that the people called 
 'Mormons' are a loyal and law-abiding people, and have ever 
 been. It is true Lot Smith burned some wagons containing 
 government supplies for the army. This was an overt act, and 
 if it is for this that we are to be pardoned, I accept the pardon." 
 
 It was then agreed that the army might come into the 
 basin, but should not quarter within forty miles of the city, 
 nor in any settlement of the territory. Entering Salt Lake 
 City, June 26, they founded Camp Floyd, thirty-six miles 
 south, where they remained until 1860. The last remnant 
 departed in 1861. Many of the soldiers participated in the 
 Civil War, in which Albert Sidney Johnston, the commander of 
 the Buchanan Expedition against the "Mormons," took part 
 as a rebel. 
 
 Upon first entering the Valley, the troops were deeply 
 moved by the desolation which they witnessed all about them. 
 With no faith in the promises of armies, the Saints, thirty 
 thousand strong, had fled south, to what destination they knew 
 not. Their deserted villages and cities were inhabited only by 
 the guards who had been left with torch in hand" ready to fire 
 their dearly-earned homes and possessions, in case the hostile 
 army should invade their land to repeat the scenes of Far 
 West and Nauvoo. In vain Governor Gumming pleaded with 
 
114 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 them to remain. Said President Young, "We know all about 
 it, Governor. We have on just such occasions seen our dis- 
 armed men hewn down in cold blood, our virgin daughters 
 violated, our wives ravished to death before our eyes. We 
 know all about it, Governor Gumming." 
 
 "The Move" attracted attention to the sacrifice of this 
 people, and to the wrongs inflicted upon them, redounding to 
 their praise in the press of Europe and the Union. The public 
 saw in it heroism, devotion, sincerity. The tide turned in 
 favor of the "Mormons." When the object of "the Move" 
 had been realized, the people returned to their cities and habita- 
 tions which had been placed sincerely upon the altar of sacri- 
 fice, but this time not required of them. Thus ended the "war." 
 It had cost the country fifteen million dollars, exposed the 
 government to ridicule, and accomplished nothing; but it won 
 for the Latter-day Saints esteem, respect, a recognition by 
 the outside world of their devotion to principle, their bravery 
 in time of peril, their loyalty to country. 
 
 10. A Period of Recuperation. 
 
 The time between the departure of the army and the 
 advent of the great transcontinental railway line may aptly 
 be termed a recuperation period in the history of the Saints. 
 During these years, they not only advanced in spiritual things, 
 possibly to a greater degree than heretofore since their arrival 
 in the valleys of the mountains, but they prospered more 
 abundantly in temporal affairs. It was an epoch of telegraphs, 
 railways and trade. 
 
 Owing in a degree to the vicissitudes of 1854-5-6, many of 
 the members of the Church had become weary in their in- 
 cessant struggle with hardships. This condition led to neglect 
 of duty, which in turn resulted in the loss of faith, accompanied 
 by moral transgression. Every triumph that the Saints had 
 so far achieved in their wonderful career, had been won by 
 and through their faith. Religion had been their stimulant, 
 their support. So it must continue. To this end the "refor- 
 mation" was begun, to revive the lost faith of the indifferent 
 and sinful. Its labors began at a conference at Kaysville, 
 September 15, 1856, spreading thence throughout the entire 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 115 
 
 Church, at home and abroad, continuing with much enthu- 
 siasm into the spring and summer of 1857. Bishops, mission- 
 aries and leading elders everywhere took part. Repentance, 
 a turning away from pride, covetousness, physical and moral 
 uncleanliness, and other abominations, were required of the 
 people. Humility prevailed, and there was a general renewal 
 of covenants, so that the Saints again found favor in the sight 
 of God. Thus this movement, while doubtless overdone in 
 some instances, resulted as a whole in much good. Without 
 the resulting purification it is doubtful whether there would 
 have been so general a response to the sacrifices of "The Move," 
 or such a healthy growth, in the years following. 
 
 The Overland Telegraph was completed October 24, 
 1861. Less than three years and three months had passed since 
 the memorable day in the world's history, August 5, 1858, 
 when the first Atlantic cable was completed. Now the electric 
 messenger penetrated the continent, and bore its instant tales 
 from sea to sea, through the home of the Saints, placing them 
 in immediate communication with the whole world. It was the 
 signal of a new era about to dawn upon them, but they were 
 preparing themselves for the changes that it would bring. The 
 facility with which the Saints adapt themselves to progressive, 
 altered conditions, has often been a subject of remark. The 
 present case was no exception. 
 
 Torn as the nation was at this time by internal strife,, it 
 is a significant commentary upon the loyalty of the Saints that 
 the first message which passed east over the completed line, 
 from President Brigham Young, read: "Utah has not seceded, 
 but is firm for the Constitution and laws of our once happy 
 country." 
 
 In 1862, another unsuccessful trial was made by the Saints 
 to obtain statehood for Utah. Hons. William H. Hooper and 
 George Q. Cannon were the senators-elect. They labored 
 diligently to secure Utah's admission to the sisterhood of states, 
 their motto being: "We can redress our grievances better in 
 the Union than out of it," significant words, indeed, in view of 
 the great national controversy over secession. 
 
 It was on the 2nd day of July, of this same year, that 
 President Abraham Lincoln approved and signed "an act to 
 punish and prevent the practice of polygamy in the territories 
 
116 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 of the United States and other places, and disapproving and 
 annulling certain acts of the Legislative Assembly of the 
 Territory of Utah." The provisions of this act became a dead- 
 letter upon the statute books for many years. There was, 
 however, an effort made by Governor Harding, in 1863, to 
 punish President Young under this law, but for lack of evidence 
 the jury failed to indict, and so the matter rested. It being 
 President Lincoln's policy to let the "Mormons" alone, Gover- 
 nor Harding, upon their petition, was dismissed for his pains. 
 Then followed a time of political peace, broken only by the 
 efforts of Col. P. E. Connor to establish a military in lieu 
 of a civil government in the territory. Col. Connor is credited, 
 and very justly, too, with being "the father of Utah mining;" 
 he was the founder of Camp or Fort Douglas, and his troops, 
 California volunteers who had enlisted seven hundred strong 
 to fight Southern rebels, being detained in Utah, did good 
 service in checking Indian depredations north of Cache Valley, 
 for which the colonel was made Brigadier-General. But his 
 scheme to establish military power in Utah utterly failed. 
 
 The next important event was the establishment of the 
 Deseret Telegraph Line. With little ready means the Saints 
 built five hundred miles of this line, between 1865 and 1867, 
 at a cost of $150 per mile, thus placing their principal settle- 
 ments, now extending in all directions, into instant communi- 
 cation with one another and with the leaders of the Church, whose 
 counsels and instructions thus could be transmitted rapidly to 
 every portion of the territory. This line was kept in constant 
 service by the Church, until 1900, when, by sale, it passed into 
 the hands of the great Western Union system. 
 
 In 1868, the approaching railroad warned the inspired 
 leader of the Saints that the isolation which had made Zjon a 
 peculiar people would soon be destroyed. There would be 
 great financial and social changes. To guard the money in- 
 terest of the people, as well as to insure their temporal suprem- 
 acy, President Young announced, "that it was advisable 
 that the people of Utah should become their own merchants." 
 Then followed the organization of Zion's Co-operative Mer- 
 cantile Institution, which began business early in 1869. Branches 
 were established in nearly all the settlements, and while 
 many failed, or have gone out of business, there can be no 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 117 
 
 question about the benefit that resulted to the community 
 from this movement. There were several branches of the in- 
 stitution for years. The parent house has an enormous trade, 
 and may be said to constitute the temporal mercantile bulwark 
 of the "Mormons." It has helped materially to preserve them 
 as a community; it has earned for them a financial influence 
 abroad, while it has aided in maintaining a uniformity in 
 prices, and has been a ballast to trade at home; it has held the 
 money resources of the people within themselves, and in great 
 measure it has insured the social unity of the Saints. 
 
 The Union Pacific Railway was completed as far as Salt 
 Lake Valley on the 8th of March, 1869. At length the peti- 
 tions and desires of the Utah pioneers were answered. But 
 their influence was not all that offered to aid in this monstrous 
 enterprise. With their own hands, the "Mormons" graded a 
 highway from the head of Echo Canyon to Ogden City. Its 
 eastern end traverses the plains for many hundred miles over 
 the road which they pioneered. At Ogden City, on the event- 
 ful day named, the assembled multitude now greeted the iron 
 horse with shouts of, "Utah bids you welcome;" "Hail to 
 the great national highway." On the 17th of May following, 
 the Utah Central Railroad, from Ogden to Salt Lake City, 
 was begun, being completed on the 10th of January, 1870.* 
 It was purely a "Mormon" enterprise. Then followed the 
 building of the Utah Southern (May, 1871), and the Utah 
 and Northern (September, 1871), now of the Oregon Short 
 Line system. 
 
 In the meantime, missionaries were constantly sent to 
 the nations of the earth, and emigrations, for which hundreds 
 of teams yearly were forwarded to the Missouri, from various 
 lands, continued to swell the population. New settlements 
 were formed.** Thrift and industry made the barren places 
 fruitful.*** The thirsty plains and valleys smiled with ver- 
 
 *An appropriate celebration of the 50th anniversary of the event was held in Salt 
 Lake City, Jan., 1920, attended by hundreds who helped to build the road. A banquet 
 was given the veterans and workers in the Hotel Utah, and later a program of music 
 and speeches was presented in the Tabernacle, where President Heber J. Grant presided. 
 **Bear Lake Valley and Wasatch county were settled in 1863, Sevier and Piute coun- 
 ties in 1864. 
 
 ***Portions of the Territory were severely afflicted by the grasshoppers, which pest 
 appeared in 1867, and continued until well along into the '70s, often totally destroying 
 vegetation for years together. 
 
118 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 dure, at the touch of the magic streams directed by the toiling 
 husbandman. Peace prevailed in the mountain Zion.* 
 Children listened with wonder to the tale of the pioneer. Schools 
 and meeting houses** sprang up in every village, attended 
 by a happy youth and a thankful people, content in their 
 homespun. Virtue dwelt by the side of honesty, and the fear 
 of God, in the hearts of the people. 
 
 11. Official Crusade. Death of President Young. 
 
 With the introduction of President Young's mercantile 
 policy, arose a schism, known as the "Godbeite" or "New 
 Movement," which threatened a dangerous break in the Church. 
 A number of disaffected "Mormon" merchants began to oppose 
 President Young, and what they termed his "one man power," 
 and his temporal leanings, exemplified in the organization of 
 Z. C. M. I., the building of railroads, and other secular enter- 
 prises. These elders, being excommunicated and joined by 
 anti-"Mormons," became the nucleus of home opposition 
 from which grew, in the early months of 1870, the so-called 
 Liberal Party whose bitter and unscrupulous warfare against 
 the Saints is almost without a parallel in the history of political 
 strife. To the agitations and misrepresentations of this party, 
 coupled with the co-operation of Mr. Schuyler Colfax, Rever- 
 end J. P. Newman and conspirators and allies at the seat of 
 Government, may be attributed the missionary judicial cru- 
 sade that overwhelmed the Church and its leading men with 
 persecution, under the administration of President U. S. Grant, 
 in 1870-1 to 1875. While Mr. Colfax and his eastern associates 
 were doubtless sincere in their desire to fight polygamy, the 
 overthrow of which was the aim of their warfare, no one doubts 
 that their allies in Utah had solely another object in view 
 
 *The exception to this was the Black Hawk Indian trouble in 1866-7, in southern 
 counties. The Utah militia, under Gen. D. H. Wells, did good service in protecting the 
 settlements. 
 
 **The Tabernacle at Salt Lake City was so far completed, in 1867, that the October 
 conference was held therein. At this time, Joseph F. Smith was called and ordained to the 
 apostleship. 
 
 The Deseret News was first issued as a daily in Nov., 1867; as a weekly, June 15, 
 1850; as a semi-weekly, October 8, 1865. The Ogden Junction was first issued January 
 1, 1870, which was supplanted in May, 1881, by the Ogden Herald, which name was 
 changed to the Ogden Standard in 1888; the Salt Lake Daily Herald, June 6, 1870, 
 and the Mormon, later the Salt Lake Tribune, in January, 1870. The Salt Lake Daily 
 Herald suspended with its issue of July 16, 1920. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 119 
 
 the political control of the Territory they were determined to 
 rule or ruin. 
 
 President - Grant was inaugurated on March 4, 1869. 
 The assassination of Abraham Lincoln, at Ford's Theatre, by 
 John Wilkes Booth, had taken place, April 14, 1865. The 
 "let them alone" policy of President Lincoln, and practically 
 followed by President Andrew Johnson, was from now on 
 abandoned by the President who, thoroughly filled with the 
 misrepresentations of the party and their allies referred to, 
 determined to solve the "Mormon" problem, termed the 
 "twin relic," by special legislation and judicial machinery, or, 
 these failing, by the sword, as slavery had been determined. 
 It was claimed by the "new movement" people that they avert- 
 ed a war; in other words, induced the administration to aban- 
 don, to some extent, a proposed military subjugation of the 
 territory. It was then decided to proceed against the "Mor- 
 mons" through appointed federal officials. To begin with, 
 the proper men were found in Governor J. Wilson Shaffer and 
 Chief Justice James B. McKean, the most determined foes 
 that the "Mormons" in Utah ever had. To aid them in their 
 bigoted mission, the Government sent soldiers to act as a 
 "moral force" in the protection of "Gentiles" and apostates. 
 Small wonder that illegal processes, packed juries, absurd 
 rulings, characterized the judicial proceedings. Where the 
 law failed to aid them in carrying out their measures, they did 
 not scruple to set it aside by extra-judicial rulings. 
 
 The muster of the territorial militia was first forbidden by 
 Governor Shaffer, in 1870, evidently that greater scope might 
 be given the officers to harass the Saints without danger of 
 resistance. The militia had often been called into action to 
 protect the settlements from Indian depredations, serving 
 weeks at a time without pay, either from the territory or the 
 general Government. But from this time on, they were not 
 even allowed to patriotically parade in a 4th of July procession, 
 or upon any other public occasion. In October, 1870, Governor 
 Shaffer died, and was succeeded by Governor George L. Woods, 
 who followed in his footsteps. 
 
 The militia was practically disbanded, followed by high- 
 handed judicial acts of Judge McKean, who disgraced his office 
 "in a manner to which the world can furnish no parallel." 
 
120 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 His mission was to overthrow "Mormonism." "A mission," 
 he declared, "as high above my mere duty as judge as heaven 
 is above the earth." Raising the cry: Federal authority vs. 
 Polygamic theocracy, the crusade was carried on in deadly 
 earnest, until his illegal decisions were reversed by the Supreme 
 Court of the United States. President Young, and other 
 prominent men of the Church, suffered severe annoyances 
 through arrests, and through illegally instituted judicial pro- 
 ceedings, being forced to incur great expense in defending them- 
 selves. At length, Judge McKean went to such extremes that 
 the administration, in sympathy with him as it was, could 
 tolerate his actions no longer, and on the 16th of March, 1875, 
 he was removed because of his fanatical and extreme conduct, 
 and because of several acts of his which the President consider- 
 ed ill-advised, tyrannical, and in excess of his powers as judge. 
 But the Liberals continued their machinations unabated. 
 Nearly every session of Congress was overwhelmed by bills of 
 their framing and concoction, calculated to proscribe or per- 
 secute the Saints. The "Poland Bill" was passed June 23, 
 1874. Their agitations finally resulted in the passage of the 
 "Edmunds' Bill," in 1882, supplemented later by the "Ed- 
 munds-Tucker Act." 
 
 In the midst of these persecutions and annoyances, the 
 interests of the Church never lagged for a moment. Coloniza- 
 tion also continued. An effort was made, in 1873, to establish 
 settlements in Arizona. A large number of settlers from Utah 
 met in Salt Lake City March 8, and were instructed in their 
 colonizing labors by President Young. Meeting at first with 
 failure, their efforts resulted in the experience which finally 
 led to success, and at present there are many thriving settle- 
 ments of the Saints in Arizona. 
 
 On the 14th of October, the year previous, President George 
 A. Smith left on a trip to Palestine, where, on March 2, fol- 
 lowing, he and his associates held divine service on the Mount 
 of Olives, on which occasion they dedicated the Land of Pales- 
 tine for the gathering of the Jews, and for the rebuilding of 
 Jerusalem.* Returning, President Smith reached Salt Lake 
 City, June 18, 1873, where he died, September 1, 1875. 
 
 *"When you get to the land of Palestine, we want you to dedicate and consecrate 
 that land to the Lord, that it may be blessed with fruitfulness, preparatory to the return 
 of the Jews,S in fulfilment of prophecy and the accomplishment of the purposes of our 
 Heavenly Father." Excerpt from a letter by Presidents Priehain Youne and. Daniel H. 
 Wells to President Smith. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 121 
 
 In 1874-5 there was a general religious movement among 
 the Indians, hundreds embracing the gospel in Tooele county, 
 St. George, and other places. In January of the latter year, 
 the first Lamanites were married according to the order of the 
 holy Priesthood. 
 
 In the summer of 1875 the Improvement Associations of 
 the young Latter-day Saints was first instituted, the first 
 association being organized in the 13th Ward, Salt Lake City, 
 June 10. Four years later, their organ, the Contributor, first 
 appeared (October, 1879).* The membership of these as- 
 sociations numbered in 1920 close to one hundred thousand of 
 the sons and daughters of the Saints. The Sunday Schools, 
 first organized in the Fourteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, by 
 Elder Richard Ballantyne, in 1849, had flourished and increased 
 in membership to nearly thirty thousand, in 1875.** Secu- 
 lar education was not neglected. Every settlement boasted its 
 schoolhouse and public school which compared favorably with 
 like institutions in the states or territories of equal age, in other 
 parts of the Union. President Young established the B. Y. 
 Academy at Provo, October 16, 1875, and the B. Y. College in 
 Logan, July 24, 1877. The Deseret University, opened for the 
 first time November 11, 1850, was prospering. The leaders of 
 the Church have ever been firm friends of true education, and 
 their efforts in this direction have ever been nobly seconded by 
 the Saints as a community; as a result, Utah stands today 
 first in educational progress*** among her sister commonwealths 
 in the West.**** 
 
 Temple building went on. The St. George temple was 
 dedicated at the April conference held in that city, April 6-8, 
 
 *The Contributor, founded by Junius F. Wells, continued through seven- 
 teen volumes, but was discontinued shortly after the death of Apostle A. H. Cannon, 
 which occurred July 19, 1896, he being then the publisher and owner. It was succeeded by 
 the Improvement Era, first issued November 1, 1897, the present organ of the priesthood 
 quorums, the Y.M.M.I.A., which had in 1920 a membership of over forty thousand, and 
 the Church Schools. The Young Woman's Journal was founded in 1889, and is the or- 
 gan of the Y.L.M.I.A., organized in 1869 and having a membership now of 45,000. Both 
 of these magazines are owned by the organizations. The Relief Society Magazine was 
 established January 1, 1913, and is the organ of that society. The Children's Friend 
 represents the Primary Associations, and was first published January 1, 1901. 
 
 **The Juvenile Instructor, established by President George Q. Cannon, January 1, 
 1866, is the organ of the Sabbath Schools of the Saints, which had a membership, in 1920, 
 of over 201,000. It is owned by the Sunday Schools. 
 
 ***The position of Utah and Idaho in the educational world is a striking refutation of 
 any statement that the Latter-day Saints foster ignorance. The public, as well as the 
 Church schools, all of which are attended largely if not mostly by "Mormon" children, are 
 
122 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 1877, ordinances for the dead being ministered therein on the 
 9th. On the 25th of the same month, the temple site in Manti 
 was dedicated, followed, May 18, by the dedication of the 
 ground for the Logan temple. 
 
 The organization of the stakes of Zion was completed in 
 the summer of 1877, the quorums of the Priesthood were set 
 in order, and the ecclesiastical government was perfected ac- 
 cording to the pattern revealed from heaven. In this pleasant 
 labor, the founder of Utah spent his last days. 
 
 On the 29th day of August, 1877, President Brigham Young 
 died, surrounded by his family and kind friends. He passed 
 peacefully to rest, sincerely mourned by a whole people whose 
 chief and adviser he had been for thirty-three years. He was 
 one of the great men of the century. His achievements as 
 leader of the Nauvoo Exodus, and as Colonizer of the American 
 desert, will be regarded justly as among the grandest accomp- 
 lishments of modern times.* 
 
 fully equal to those of many other states in the Union and in some things lead. The enroll- 
 ment in the public high schools of Utah, in 1920, was about 14,000; there were 128,846 
 children in Utah, in 1919, and the amount expended for the support of elementary and 
 secondary schools amounted to nearly six million dollars. Besides, the Latter-day Saints 
 have eleven colleges and academies in Utah, and ten in other states, with an enrollment, 
 in 1920, of over 8,000 students. 
 
 In the matter of legislation embracing a part-time educational law for all boys and 
 girls up to 18 years, Dr. C. A. Prosser, Director of William Hood Dunwoodey Industrial 
 Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, says: "The bare test of this law has been made into a 
 comprehensive program, for the conservation of children, not equaled on this continent. 
 In this way, Utah has not only taken a foremost place in the galaxy of states, but has made 
 a distinct and lasting contribution to citizenship, efficiency, prosperity and civilization. . . . 
 It is eminently fitting that the state of Utah should reach a high water-mark in such an 
 investment for the future. The state itself is the result of such faith and such self-denial, 
 for Utah is known to be the land of thrift, the land of hard toil and earnest saving." (See 
 article "The Utah Program," Improvement Era, July, 1920, Vol. 23, number 9. ) 
 
 ****The School Journal, reviewing the school exhibit of the various states and terri- 
 tories at the World's Exposition (1893), says: "In the originality and general merit of its 
 
 exhibit, Utah stands easily first in the Western group Here behind the western 
 
 mountains a system of education is being nurtured, that, while it challenges the best else- 
 where, owes its upbuilding very greatly to the peculiar stamina of its own communities." 
 
 *For an account of the character and leading events in the career of Brigham Young, 
 see Anderson's "Life of Brigham Young," a companion volume to this "Brief History of 
 the Church." 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 123 
 
 V. 
 
 FROM THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT YOUNG TO 1901. 
 
 1877-1901. 
 
 1. John Taylor Chosen Leader. 
 
 Enemies of the Saints had often prophesied that upon the 
 death of Brigham Young, "Mormonism," so-called, would fall 
 to pieces. It was soon clearly demonstrated, however, that the 
 Church is not founded upon the ability or strength of any man, 
 but rather upon revelation, with Christ as its corner stone. 
 
 The order of succession had been decided in Nauvoo. 
 Elder John Taylor, who was president of the Twelve Apostles, 
 with his quorum, now became the presiding authority of the 
 Church. As such, they were unanimously upheld at the 48th 
 semi-annual conference, in October, 1877. On this occasion 
 the authorities of the Church were sustained in their order; 
 first, by the Priesthood of the Church, who voted by quorums, 
 from the highest in authority to the lowest, rising in turns to 
 their feet with uplifted hands; then finally, by the entire con- 
 gregation. There was a spirit of union which so far from boding 
 dissolution, rather indicated renewed strength, unfaltering 
 devotion to their cause and doctrine. 
 
 At the October conference, 1880, three years afterward, the 
 First Presidency was organized for the third time in the history 
 of the Church. John Taylor was chosen President, with George 
 Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith as his counselors. President 
 John Taylor was then 72 years of age. He was a native of 
 Milnthorp; England, born November 1, 1808. He joined the 
 Church in Canada, in 1836, and was called to the apostleship 
 by revelation, in 1838. He had filled numerous missions to 
 England, France (into which land he introduced the gospel), 
 Germany, and the United States. He had extensively engaged 
 in literary labors, having edited Church pa'pers in every coun- 
 try named, save England, besides superintending the trans- 
 lation of the Book of Mormon into French and German, sup- 
 plemented at that time and later by the publication of im- 
 
124 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 portant doctrinal works. He was a dear friend of the Prophet 
 Joseph, they having mingled blood at the martyrdom. In all 
 the travels of the Saints, and in their mountain home, he had 
 always been a leader in their midst. The people had full con- 
 fidence in him; he was their "Champion of Liberty." 
 
 Fifty years had passed since six members met in the State 
 of New York and organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- 
 ter-day Saints. Like the ancient, modern Israel would have a 
 year of Jubilee. That the people might feel its influence, it 
 was agreed at the regular April conference, 1880, on suggestion 
 of President Taylor, to release one-half of the people's indebted- 
 ness to the Perpetual Emigration Fund, the principal of which 
 amounted to $704,000, and now, with interest added, to 
 $1,604,000. Out of this amount, it was voted to forgive the 
 poor debtors $800,000, or about one-half of the whole amount, 
 the other half being left for such debtors to pay as were able 
 but had not done so. Then there was due the Church on tithing 
 account, $151,798, $75,899 of which were cancelled on the 
 indebtedness of the deserving poor. It was also agreed to dis- 
 tribute to the worthy poor, one thousand good cows, the Church 
 to furnish 300, and the stakes, 700; also 5,000 sheep, 2,000 
 of which were donated by the Church and the remainder by 
 the stakes. 
 
 The year 1879 had been very dry, causing a shortage in 
 crops. There was little wheat in the territory, and so the sisters 
 of the Relief Societies voted to loan out to the needy farmers 
 34,761 bushels of seed wheat, to be returned at their convenience 
 without interest. 
 
 It was to be made a year of rejoicing. Individuals were 
 counseled to relieve their distressed debtors; Z. C. M. I. and 
 the banks were asked to do something in cancelling the debts 
 of the honest poor. The utmost good feeling prevailed, and 
 the Saints generally carried out the counsel of their leader; 
 "While God is blessing us, let us bless one another." 
 
 Pioneer Day was celebrated this year with great rejoicings 
 and demonstrations, in Salt Lake City, people coming from 
 all parts of the territory on the occasion. The trades, industries, 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 125 
 
 schools, societies and associations,* commerce, art and science, 
 were duly represented in the parade. After the grand pro- 
 cession, appropriate reminiscent ceremonies were held in the 
 large Tabernacle. Among the noteworthy parts of the pro- 
 gram was the appearance of twenty-five representatives from 
 as many nations where the gospel had been preached. 
 
 In the concluding speech on this occasion, President Tay- 
 lor made this remarkable prophetic utterance: "There are 
 events in the future, and not far ahead, that will require all 
 our faith, all our energy, all our confidence, all our trust in 
 God to enable us to withstand the influences that will be brought 
 
 against us There never was a time when we needed to be 
 
 more humble and more prayerful ; there never was a time when 
 we needed more fidelity, self-denial, and adherence to the prin- 
 ciples of truth than we do this day." 
 
 So indeed it proved to be. The next few years were to be 
 among the most trying in the experience of the Church. 
 
 2. The Edmunds-Tucker Agitation. Death of 
 President Taylor in Exile. 
 
 The enjoyment of peace was short. Days of sore trial 
 were at hand. In the summer of 1881, a crusade was inau- 
 gurated against the Saints to suppress their institution of plural 
 marriage. It was begun by sectarian opponents and politi- 
 cians. Beginning in Utah, the agitation soon spread through- 
 out the whole land. Alarming falsehoods of "Mormon" dis- 
 loyalty, vice, and abominations, soon stirred the people of the 
 nation and their national representatives, to a fever heat against 
 the Saints. The politicians were actuated by a hunger for 
 spoils and the emoluments of office, while the ministers were 
 evidently led by disappointment or innate hate. Neither 
 class seemed to care so much for polygamy as for these other 
 
 *The Sabbath Schools at this time numbered 33,000; the Improvement Associations 
 of the young men were ten thousand strong. Remembering that the former now, 1901, 
 number 125,000, and the latter 30,000, we have another witness of the growth and strength 
 of this "marvelous work and a wonder." To this it may be added, showing constantly ad- 
 vancing growth, that in 1920, the Sunday School membership numbered 201,448, of 
 which 34,744 were in the 22 established missions of the United States and foreign countries; 
 the Young Men and Young Ladies, 40,226 and 45,678 respectively. Then there were the 
 Relief Societies with 45,413; the Primary Association with a membership of 67,508, and 
 the Religion Class with 43,000. 
 
126 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 considerations. Congress was pressed to enact the pending 
 prescriptive measures. Memorials, protests, declarations, 
 and petitions of the Saints denying the industriously circulat- 
 ed falsehoods, were of no avail. 
 
 The Edmunds law, supplemental to the law of 1862, which 
 had practically remained a dead letter, was signed by President 
 Chester Alan Arthur, the twenty-first President of the United 
 States, on the 22nd of March, 1882, and became law. Poly- 
 gamy was made punishable by disfranchisement, also a fine 
 of not more than five hundred dollars and imprisonment for 
 not more than three years. Co-habitation with more than one 
 woman, in the marriage relation, was punishable by a fine of 
 not to exceed three hundred dollars and imprisonment not to 
 exceed six months. Polygamists and believers in the doc- 
 trine of plural marriage were rendered incompetent to act as 
 jurors. No polygamist could hold office or vote. In 1887, a 
 supplemental act was passed, known as the Edmunds-Tucker 
 law. This gave additional powers to the officers, required 
 certificates of all marriages to be filed in the offices of the pro- 
 bate courts (whose judges were appointed by the President of 
 the United States), disincorporated the Church, and ordered 
 the Supreme Court to wind up its affairs, and to take posses- 
 sion of its escheated property. 
 
 Many thousand persons were disfranchised. A test oath 
 was subscribed to by those "Mormons" who decided to retain 
 their rights of franchise, the election machinery having been 
 placed in the hands of a commission of five appointed by the 
 President of the United States. Their political rights thus 
 interdicted, the "Mormons" were set upon by the judiciary. 
 Mr. Rudger Clawson* was the first to answer the charge in 
 the courts. He was found guilty and sentenced, November 3, 
 1884, to four years' imprisonment, and to pay a fine of $800. 
 Then followed an unjustifiably cruel legal persecution. Up- 
 wards of a thousand men were sent to the penitentiary because 
 they would not promise to obey the law and thus discard their 
 families. Hundreds were driven into retirement or exile; 
 families were broken up. There was untold sorrow and heart- 
 
 *Afterwards president of the Box Elder stake of Zion, later a member of the Council 
 of the Twelve apostles, and on Nov. 23, 1918, chosen Acting President of the Council of 
 the Twelve. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 127 
 
 suffering in their midst. Juries, obtained by open venire, were 
 unanimous in obeying the bidding of over-zealous prosecuting 
 attorneys who were determined on conviction. As a rule, to 
 be suspected was equivalent to arrest, arrest to indictment, 
 indictment to conviction, conviction to the full penalty of the 
 law. Unprincipled, some of them very immoral, adventurers 
 dogged the steps or raided the homes of respectable veterans, 
 founders of the commonwealth. Government aided in the 
 enforcement of the law by increased special appropriations. 
 Paid spotters and spies prowled among the people. Children 
 were questioned about their parents' affairs; wives, daughters 
 and maidens were often compelled to submit to the shame- 
 fully indecent questions with which professional grand juries 
 pestered them. The Saints were passing through a night of 
 dreary darkness. Bereft of the counsels and presence of their 
 leaders, torn with anguish, they were taught the lesson of self- 
 reliance, dependence upon the Lord, faith in God. As a com- 
 munity they never faltered, never permitted themselves to be 
 led into acts of violence against their persecutors, though the 
 provocations were numerous and ample. Their enemies, too, 
 desired that they might commit some overt act that a pretext 
 might be found for their utter destruction. 
 
 Under these circumstances, President John Taylor, who had 
 retired from public view February 1, 1885, died in exile, July 
 25, 1887. Thus mourned by Israel in bondage, he passed away 
 a double martyr to the cause he loved, for with him it was 
 "The Kingdom of God or nothing." Said his counselors in 
 the official announcement of his death: "President John Taylor 
 has been killed by the cruelty of officials who have in this 
 territory misrepresented the Government of the United States." 
 
 3. Changed Conditions. Wilf or d Woodruff President. 
 
 Upon the Twelve Apostles, with Wilford Woodruff as 
 chief, now devolved the responsibility of the presidency. 
 Apostles Cannon and Smith took their former places in the 
 Council of the Twelve. In this capacity, the apostles continued 
 to act until the annual conference in 1889, when the First 
 Presidency, for the fourth time, was organized, on the 7th 
 day of April, Wilford Woodruff being chosen President. He 
 
128 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 selected George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith as his coun- 
 selors. 
 
 The crusade continued unabated, probably with less 
 hardship, since the people were in a measure adjusting them- 
 selves to their trying conditions. The political history of this 
 period was as full of acts breathing bitterness against the 
 Latter-day Saints as was the judicial. The executive was in 
 full harmony with the judiciary, and their united efforts to 
 crush the people will some day appear as little to their credit as 
 the history of these times, once told in full, will redound to the 
 honor of the afflicted Saints. 
 
 In the courts, the "Mormons" contested every step taken 
 by the Government to deprive them of what they considered 
 their religious rights. They deemed plural marriage part of 
 their creed and faith, hence, strongly maintained that Congress 
 could make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof. But 
 the Supreme Court of the nation, before which tribunal the 
 laws were finally tested, while condemning some of the cruel 
 and unjust methods of enforcing the law, decided that the en- 
 actment to suppress plural marriage was constitutional, and 
 that the first amendment to the Constitution, providing for 
 the free exercise of religion, cannot be used to defend this 
 doctrine. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Government continued unyielding in its 
 determination to suppress the practice, having in contempla- 
 tion and threatening the adoption of still harsher measures 
 than used heretofore. 
 
 It was while the Saints were in the midst of these afflictions 
 that President Woodruff sought the Lord in their behalf, 
 and in answer to his petitions of anguish, received the word of 
 the Lord authorizing him to advise the Saints to discontinue 
 the practice of plural marriage. 
 
 A manifesto to this effect was issued on the 24th of Septem- 
 ber, 1890, and at the following semi-annual conference, Octo- 
 ber 6, the assembled Saints accepted the declaration of their 
 leader concerning plural marriage as authoritative and binding. 
 Since then, the doctrine has neither been taught nor practiced. 
 
 The people had done their duty. God revealed the doc- 
 trine to them; He it was who authorized its suspension. In the 
 face of appalling opposition they had firmly and openly de- 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 129 
 
 fended it for thirty years. They were justified by their sacri- 
 fice and suffering. God accepted of their offerings as he had 
 done once before, when they were hindered in the performance 
 of his will, in Jackson county.* The design of God so far had 
 been accomplished. In defending themselves, they had been 
 given the privilege to explain the gospel, to bear their testi- 
 monies to the mission of so-called "Mormonism," in, the 
 Nation's high places under other conditions rendered inacces- 
 sible. 
 
 Looked upon at first with some suspicion, the Govern- 
 ment and people of the Nation at length believed the Saints 
 sincere, as they are, in their avowal to discontinue plural mar- 
 riages. This, with the change in political affairs wrought by 
 the disruption of their People's ("Mormon") political party, 
 and the adoption by them of National politics, by which the 
 Saints, theretofore united in all things, became politically 
 divided, brought about an era of "good feelings and changed 
 conditions." 
 
 4. The Temples of the Saints. 
 
 A distinguishing characteristic of the Latter-day Saints 
 is that they are a temple-building people, resembling, in this 
 respect, Israel of old. As to the purpose and motive behind 
 this distinguishing trait the modern temple service of the 
 Saints it must be remembered that ceremonies and ordi- 
 nances in the temples are for the living, who are present, of 
 course, but largely, also, for the benefit and salvation of the 
 dead who are represented each by a living proxy. 
 
 The work comprises: 
 
 1. Baptism for the living and for the dead. 
 
 2. Ordinances and endowments in the Priesthood. 
 
 3. Marriage ceremonies. The Saints regard the marriage 
 ceremony in the temples as the only perfect matrimonial 
 alliance. 
 
 4. Other sealing ordinances; embracing the sealing of 
 children in the family relationship. 
 
 *Doctrine and Covenants, Section 124, verses 49 to 54. 
 Roberts' "Ecclesiastical History," p. 416, notes 6, 7, 8. 
 
130 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Temples were erected, first in Kirtland, Ohio, then in 
 Nauvoo, Illinois. 
 
 Four magnificent temples, in which the Saints are doing a 
 noble work for the living and the dead, have been reared in 
 Utah to the name of God one in St. George, dedicated April, 
 1877; one in Logan, dedicated May 17, 1884; one in Manti, 
 dedicated May 21, 1888; one in Salt Lake City, dedicated 
 April 6, 1893. The completion and dedication of the temple 
 in Salt Lake City were among the most important Church 
 events in the administration of President Woodruff. 
 
 At the annual conference, April 6, 1892, the capstone was 
 laid, the ceremonies taking place in the presence of forty thou- 
 sand people the largest assemblage ever congregated together 
 in the history of the Church. Nearly all the leading authorities 
 were present to swell the "Hosanna" shouts of the Saints who 
 had come to witness the ceremonies for which they had longed 
 and waited these many years. Services at 10 a. m. on the 
 morning of the 6th were first held in the tabernacle. The great 
 audience of ten thousand, with many thousands who could not 
 gain admission, adjourned to the south side of the temple at 
 11 a. m. First in the march came the choir, then the First 
 Presidency, the apostles, followed by the other quorums of 
 the priesthood, in their order, to the least. The ceremonies, 
 though simple, have never been excelled for enthusiasm and 
 impressiveness in the history of the people. After music and 
 song, prayer having been offered by President Joseph F. Smith, 
 all things being in readiness, President Wilford Woodruff 
 stepped to the front of the platform, saying: "Attention, all 
 ye house of Israel, and all ye nations of the earth. We will now 
 lay the topstone of the temple of our God the foundation of 
 which was laid and dedicated by the Prophet, Seer, and Reve- 
 lator, Brigham Young." He then pressed a button, and, by 
 means of electricity, the last stone of the holy structure was 
 laid. Then followed a grand effect; forty thousand voices, 
 led by Apostle Lorenzo Snow, shouted in concert, "Hosanna, 
 hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb. Amen, amen and 
 amen!" This was repeated three times, each shout being ac- 
 companied by a waving of handkerchiefs. A resolution was 
 then adopted, amid cheers from the vast assembly, to complete 
 the building so that the dedication might take place on April 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 131 
 
 6, 1893. After a closing anthem, the benediction was pro- 
 nounced by President George Q. Cannon. 
 
 With energy and determination, work was now pushed 
 with a view to complete the interior of the grand structure by 
 the appointed time, an undertaking which seemed almost im- 
 possible in so short a period. However, the people donated 
 liberally of their means, the best workmen were employed, and 
 with the blessings of God upon their labors, the task was ac- 
 complished. 
 
 On Tuesday, April 4, 1893, the annual conference began in 
 the tabernacle, continuing for two days. On the morning of 
 the 6th, 2,500 people who had been provided with tickets of 
 admission met in the large assembly room on the upper floor 
 of the temple, having first viewed the rich and magnificent 
 interior furnishings. All the general authorities of the Church 
 were present the first time for many years that the First 
 Presidency, Twelve Apostles, Patriarch, Presiding Council of 
 Seventies, and Presiding Bishopric, all had been able to meet 
 together in an assemblage of the Saints. A select choir of 
 three hundred voices, led by Evan Stephens, sang an anthem, 
 after which President Woodruff offered the dedicatory prayer. 
 This was followed by appropriate, instructive and consoling 
 remarks from Presidents Cannon, Woodruff and Smith. The 
 Lord will comfort Zion; the day when his rich favor will be 
 bestowed upon her is at hand; union characterizes the Priest- 
 hood was the burden of their speech prophecies fulfilled in 
 the following years. Forgiveness and charity were gloriously 
 impressed upon the Saints, who were assured of a brighter 
 day in store for them than they had ever yet experienced. 
 The Spirit bore testimony to every soul present that God had 
 accepted the house now dedicated to him. Many were moved 
 to tears of joy. The toils and sacrifices of forty years received 
 their crowning triumph in the revelation from God to each 
 member of the Church who attended, that He had accepted 
 of the temple as a habitation holy to His name. 
 
 In the afternoon, another congregation of the Saints con- 
 vened, then followed meetings until thirty-one had been held, 
 the average attendance of each being 2,260, making a total of 
 70,000 people who witnessed the dedication ceremonies. There 
 were, besides, fifteen thousand Sunday School children, for 
 
132 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 whom special services were held, making a grand total of 85,000. 
 Members of the Church attended from every stake of Zion, as 
 follows: Alberta, Canada; Snowflake, St. Johns, St. Joseph and 
 Maricopa, Arizona; Bannock, Cassia, Malad, Bear Lake, and 
 Oneida, Idaho; San Luis, Colorado; Star Valley, Wyoming; 
 Beaver, San Juan, St. George, Panguitch, Emery, Parowan, 
 Uintah, Millard, Morgan, Summit, Sevier, Sanpete, Cache, 
 Wasatch, Weber, Tooele, Juab, Utah, Davis, Kanab, Salt 
 Lake, losepa and Box Elder, Utah; and Old Mexico.* 
 
 The closing session of the services was held on the after- 
 noon of Monday, April 24, 1893, and the temple was opened 
 for ordinances early in May following. 
 
 Two temples have recently been built, one in Cardston, 
 Canada, and one in Laie, Territory of Hawaii. A building site 
 for another temple was selected near Mesa, Arizona, at the 
 Maricopa stake conference, January, 1920, by President Heber 
 J. Grant. 
 
 The Cardston temple site was dedicated July, 1913, by 
 President Joseph F. Smith. The corner stone was laid by 
 David O. McKay, of the Council of the Twelve, August, 1915, 
 and the cap-stone by President H. S. Allen, of the Taylor 
 stake, August, 1917. The building is square, measuring 165 
 feet each way and is lifted up by an artistic retaining wall 
 enclosing a space of 235 feet each way, each side facing the 
 four main points of the compass. The entrance is on the 
 west through the annex. The structure is built of granite 
 from the famous Katoonai Lake district, British Columbia. 
 
 This temple now completed (1920) but not yet dedicated, 
 is the first edifice of the kind built in the British Empire, all 
 other temples of the Latter-day Saints being erected within 
 the territory of the United States. 
 
 The first temple built outside of continental America was 
 erected at Laie, T. H. It was decided at the October confer- 
 ence, in 1915, to erect a temple there. On the first day of June, 
 of that year, the birthday of President Brigham Young, 
 President Joseph F. Smith, accompanied by Elder Charles 
 W. Nibley and Elder Reed Smoot, repaired to the hill where the 
 
 *For a complete account of the dedication services see Contributor, Vol. 14, page 
 243. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 133 
 
 temple is now located and dedicated the site. Work was begun 
 early in 1916, and on Thanksgiving day, November 27, 1919, 
 the building was dedicated by President Heber J. Grant, in 
 a most inspiring and impressive prayer. Five meetings were 
 held to accommodate the Saints, and there were eighty-one 
 speakers in all, while 1,239 people attended the five services. 
 The Spirit of God was richly manifest, leaving no doubt in the 
 minds of the people that the Lord accepted the building and 
 labors of the Saints. 
 
 The structure measures 102 feet east and west and 78 feet 
 north and south. The central portion of the one-story edifice 
 rises to the height of 50 feet above the upper terrace. The 
 general ground plan is in the form of a Greek cross. It is said 
 by the architects, Pope and Burton, that if the now generally 
 accepted equivalent for the ancient cubit is correct, the ancient 
 temple of Solomon had about the same cubical contents as this 
 temple in Hawaii. The upper part of the temple has four 
 sculptured f reizes, one on each side of the building, depicting in 
 bold relief leading events in the four principal dispensations, 
 by Leo J. and Avard Fairbanks. 
 
 5. Utah Admitted to the Union of States. 
 
 The crowning political event in the administration of 
 President Woodruff was the admission of Utah to the sister- 
 hood of states. The enabling act was passed by Congress 
 July 10, and approved by President Grover Cleveland on July 
 16, 1894, having been first introduced by Delegate Joseph L. 
 Rawlins, and passed by the House of Representatives on 
 December 13, of the previous year. The long-prayed-for 
 document was entitled, "An Act to enable the people of Utah 
 to form a constitution and state government, and to be ad- 
 mitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original 
 states."* It provided in detail for the method of procedure 
 to attain the desirable end for which the people, for lo these 
 many years, had labored diligently, but in vain. But, as if 
 to test the sincerity of the Latter-day Saints in their declara- 
 tions to suspend the practice of polygamy, the consummation 
 
 *For a copy, see Vol. 1, "Proceedings Constitutional Convention, Utah," page 3. 
 
134 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 was postponed for nearly two years. It is provided that on 
 the first day of August, 1894, there should be issued a procla- 
 mation ordering the election of one hundred and seven dele- 
 gates from the twenty-six counties in the Territory, to be held 
 on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November fol- 
 lowing. These delegates, so elected, are ordered to "meet at 
 the seat of government of said Territory on the first Monday 
 in March, 1895," there to declare on behalf of the people that 
 they adopt the Constitution of the United States, whereupon 
 they were authorized to form a constitution and state govern- 
 ment for the proposed State of Utah. A sum of $30,000 was 
 appropriated for defraying the expenses of said convention, and 
 for the payment of the members thereof, under the same regu- 
 lations as provided for the payment of the territorial legislature. 
 
 Accordingly, on August 1, 1894, Hon. Charles C. Richards, 
 Secretary of the Territory and acting Governor, in the absence 
 of Governor Caleb W. West, took the first local step towards 
 statehood, and towards complying with the regulations of the 
 enabling act, by issuing a proclamation, congratulating the 
 people upon the auspicious occasion, and ordering that an 
 election be held, "on Tuesday next after the first Monday in 
 November, 1894," for the purpose of electing the 107 delegates 
 to form such constitutional convention.* 
 
 The election was held as provided; and, in further com- 
 pliance with the provisions of the enabling act, the delegates 
 elected to the Convention to adopt a constitution for the State 
 of Utah assembled at Salt Lake City, on Monday, March 4, 
 1895, at noon, and proceeded with their work in conformity 
 with the provisions of the enabling act. 
 
 A complete organization was effected in the course of 
 seven days, with John Henry Smith, of Salt Lake City, as 
 president, and Parley P. Christensen, of Grantsville, as secre- 
 tary. The honor of opening the convention by prayer was 
 accorded to President Wilford Woodruff, but he being indis- 
 
 *The delegates were apportioned as follows among the existing counties: Beaver, 2; 
 Box Elder, 4; Cache, 8; Davis, 3; Emery, 3; Garfield, 1; Grand, 1; Iron, 1; Juab, 3; Kane, 1; 
 Millard, 2; Morgan, 1; Piute, 1; Rich, 1; Salt Lake Salt Lake City, First precinct, 4; 
 Salt Lake City, Second precinct, 6; Salt Lake City, Third precinct, 5; Salt Lake City, 
 Fourth precinct, 3; Salt Lake City, Fifth precinct 3; all precincts outside of Salt Lake City, 
 8; San Juan, 1; Sanpete, 7; Sevier,3; Summit, 4; Tooele, 2; Uintah, 1; Utah, 12; Wasatch, 
 2; Washington, 2; Wayne, 1; Weber, 11. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 135 
 
 posed, it was granted to President George Q. Cannon, who asked 
 the divine blessing. For sixty-six days the labor went on. 
 Finally, on Wednesday, May 8, 1895, our present state con- 
 stitution, since slightly amended, was adopted.* 
 
 With the constitution was an address presenting the re- 
 sults of the Convention's labors for the consideration of the 
 people of Utah, and submitting the constitution with "steady 
 swelling confidence" in the certain belief that the voters would, 
 by an overwhelming majority, endorse and ratify their work. 
 The Constitution granted the franchise, after its adoption, to 
 the women of the State. 
 
 On the 5th day of November following, the regular election 
 was held, and the result showed the Constitution adopted by 
 a majority of 23,618, the total vote being 31,305, leaving a 
 No vote of only 7,687, as officially reported by the Utah Com- 
 mission, the Canvassing Board, December 4, 1895. 
 
 Hon. Heber M. Wells was chosen Governor and James T. 
 Hammond Secretary of State. The supreme judges were 
 Charles S. Zane, J. A. Miner and G. W. Bartch; C. E. Allen 
 was elected Representative to Congress; and the Legislature, 
 which like the State ticket was Republican, later chose Hon. 
 Arthur L. Brown and Hon. Frank J. Cannon, the first Senators 
 from Utah. 
 
 The officers entered upon their duties, and Utah, at length, 
 auspiciously upon her career of statehood, on the sixth day of 
 January, 1896.** 
 
 *There were 99 members who voted aye to the final adoption, and only eight absent. 
 The $30,000 appropriated was spent; and there was a deficiency of $9,599.50 due the mem- 
 bers and for revising the stenographers' notes. 
 
 **A full list of the names of the members of the Utah Constitutional Convention fol- 
 lows: (See "Proceedings Constitutional Convention," Vol. 2, pp. 1883-4.) 
 
 John Henry Smith, President, Thomas H. Clark, Jr. 
 
 Parley P. Christensen, Secretary, Lois Laville Coray, 
 
 Louis Bernhardt Adams, Elmer Ellsworth Corfman, 
 
 Rufus Albern Allen, Charles Crane, 
 
 Andrew Smith Anderson, William Creer, 
 
 John Richard Barnes, George Cunningham, 
 
 John Rutledge Bowdle, Arthur John Cushing, 
 
 John Sell Boyer, William Driver, 
 
 Theodore Brandley, Dennis Clay Eichnor, 
 
 Herbert Guion Button, Alma Eldredge, 
 
 William Buys, George Rhodes Emery, 
 
 Chester Call, Andreas Engberg, 
 
 George Mousley Cannon, David Evans, 
 
 John Foy Chidester, Abel John Evans, 
 
 Parley Christiansen, Lorin Farr, 
 
136 
 
 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 6. The Pioneer Jubilee. 
 
 Fifty years had now nearly elapsed since the pioneers set 
 feet upon the desert soil of Utah. 
 
 On the first of March, 1897, President Wilford Woodruff, 
 then the oldest of the noble band, celebrated his 90th birthday, 
 by a grand gathering of his friends and admirers, at the great 
 tabernacle in Salt Lake City. The building was completely 
 filled, there being present the Governor, members of the 
 legislature and many other public officials, "Mormon" and 
 "Gentile" an indication of the complete harmony at length 
 existing among all classes of the people. The venerable presi- 
 dent shook hands with nearly the entire assembly, and then 
 attended a dinner party of his immediate friends at his resi- 
 
 Samuel Francis, 
 William Henry Gibbs, 
 Charles Carrol Goodwin, 
 James Frederic Green, 
 Francis Asbury Hammond, 
 Charles Henry Hart, 
 Harry Haynes' 
 John Daniel Holladay, 
 Robert W. Heybourne, 
 Samuel Hood Hill, 
 William Howard, 
 Henry Hughes. 
 Joseph Alonzo Hyde, 
 Anthony Woodward Ivins, 
 William F. James, 
 Lycurgus Johnson, 
 Joseph Loftus Jolley, 
 Frederick John Kiesel, 
 David Keith. 
 Thomas Kearns, . 
 William Jasper Kerr, 
 Andrew Kimball, 
 James Nathaniel Kimball, 
 Richard G. Lambert, 
 Lauritz Larsen, 
 Christen Peter Larsen, 
 Hyrum Lemmon, 
 Theodore Belden Lewis, 
 William Lowe, 
 Peter Lowe, 
 James Patton Low, 
 Anthony Canute Lund, 
 Karl G. Maeser, 
 Richard Mackintosh, 
 Thomas Maloney, 
 William H. Maughan, 
 Robert McFarland, 
 George P. Miller, 
 Elias Morris, 
 Jacob Moritz, 
 
 John Riggs Murdock, 
 James David Murdock, 
 Joseph Royal Murdock, 
 Aquila Nebeker, 
 Jeremiah Day Page, 
 Edward Partridge, 
 J. D. Peters, 
 Mons Peterson, 
 James Christian Peterson, 
 Franklin Pierce, 
 William B. Preston, 
 Alonzo Hazelton Raleigh, 
 Franklin Snyder Richards, 
 Joel Ricks. 
 
 Brigham Henry Roberts, 
 Jasper Robertson, 
 Joseph Eldredge Robinson, 
 William Eugene Robinson, 
 George Ryan, 
 John Henry Smith, 
 George B. Squires, 
 William Gilson Sharp, 
 Harrison Tuttle Shurtliff, 
 Edward Hunter Snow, 
 Hyrum Hupp Spencer, 
 David Brainard Stover, 
 Charles Nattleton Strevell, 
 Charles William Symons, 
 Daniel Thompson, 
 Moses Thatcher, 
 Ingwald Conrad Thoresen, 
 Joseph Ephraim Thome, 
 Samuel R. Thurman, 
 William Grant Van Home, 
 Charles Stetson Varian, 
 Heber M. Wells, 
 Noble Warrum, Jr., 
 Orson Ferguson Whitney, 
 Joseph John Williams, 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 13? 
 
 dence, .manifesting no signs of fatigue after the ordeal he had 
 passed through. 
 
 But the people of the state also were about to celebrate 
 the semi-centennial of the arrival of Utah's pioneers. The idea 
 of having a celebration commemorating the fiftieth anniversary 
 of the founding of Utah was first expressed in the first message 
 of Governor Heber M. Wells, read to the first state legislature, 
 on January 8, 1896. He recommended the holding of an "In- 
 termountain Fair," in 1897, under the direction of the Deseret 
 Agricultural and Manufacturing Society, suggesting that no 
 state fair be held in 1896, but that all the funds and energies 
 be reserved for the celebration of 1897. The suggestion found a 
 ready response, and $5,000 were appropriated by said legisla- 
 ture, to be expended by a commission of ten persons to be ap- 
 pointed by the Governor. These were to appoint a chairman 
 and secretary from among their own number, and the com- 
 mission were to control the celebration and serve without pay. 
 They were instructed in the act to "conduct a semi-centennial 
 celebration in 1897 of the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of 
 the Utah pioneers in Utah." In November of the same year, 
 Governor Wells named the personnel of the Utah Semi-Cen- 
 tennial Commission: Spencer Clawson, E. F. Colburn, C. R. 
 Savage, E. G. Rognon, Horace G. Whitney, Mrs. George Y. 
 Wallace and Mrs. A. W. McCune of Salt Lake City; Jos. 
 Stanford of Ogden; John Murdock of Beaver; and Mrs. R. C. 
 Easton of Logan. These organized the same month, with 
 Spencer Clawson chairman; E. G. Rognon secretary; and 
 Mrs. Geo. Y. Wallace treasurer. In January, 1897, the second 
 state legislature was induced to increase the appropriation to 
 $15,000; and, some of the commission having resigned, others 
 were appointed to the number of fifteen, as follows: Spencer 
 Clawson, E. F. Colburn, E. G. Rognon, J. D. Spencer, Jacob 
 Moritz, W. A. Neldon, E. A. Smith, W. B. Preston, Horace G. 
 Whitney, Mrs. Geo. Y. Wallace, Miss Emily Katz and Miss 
 Cora Hooper of Salt Lake; Reed Smoot of Provo; Mayor H. H. 
 Spencer of Ogden; and Mrs. R. C. Easton of Logan. The 
 Commission set to work immediately to make the needed 
 preparation, the munificent gifts of the Church, the railroads, 
 and the public resulting in a magnificent celebration. 
 
138 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 The first of its main features was the unveiling of the 
 monument of President Brigham Young and the Pioneers, 
 on Tuesday, July 20.* All the pioneers of 1847, who could be 
 found in the state and elsewhere had been given free transpor- 
 tation and entertainment to and in Salt Lake City, and were 
 present surrounding the platform upon which stood the gover- 
 nor of the state, and Wilford Woodruff, the foremost of the 
 surviving veteran band. The statue was unveiled in 
 their presence and the dedicatory prayer offered by President 
 Woodruff. It was an impressive, significant and gratifying 
 spectacle, suggestive of many thoughts of wonder, admiration 
 and thanks to God for the marvelous works and transformations 
 of the fifty years completed. On that same afternoon, five 
 hundred surviving pioneers were by the citizens of Salt Lake 
 tendered a public reception in the tabernacle. Here a prize 
 poem by N. Albert Sherman was read; the prize ode, by Pro- 
 fessor Evan Stephens, words by Orson F. Whitney, was sung 
 by a choir of a thousand voices; and over five hundred gold 
 badges were distributed to the pioneers present.** 
 
 On the second day (21st), there was a magnificent "Pag- 
 eant of progress" illustrating the development of Utah from 
 1847 to 1897, giving a history, in living pictures on wheels, of 
 the prior condition and the progressive changes of intervening 
 years. 
 
 The third day (22nd), was children's day, and there was 
 a parade of ten thousand children from Salt Lake, Weber and 
 Davis counties. Passing the Pioneer Monument, this host of 
 little ones fairly buried its pedestal in a heap of flowers; 
 then going to the tabernacle, President Woodruff was crowned 
 
 *The Pioneer Monument Association was organized in 1891. The design for the monu- 
 ment was given to C. E. Dallin, a native of Utah, who had attained an enviable reputation 
 as a sculptor in the art centers of Europe. The monument cost about $35,000, which has 
 been mainly contributed by the people in the various stakes of Zion in small amounts. 
 While the monument was unveiled as stated above, it was not until July 24, 1900, that the 
 bas-relief of the Pioneer Group, and the figures of the Indian and Trapper were placed in 
 position and unveiled. See article on "Pioneer Monument" by Hon. Spencer Clawson, 
 Improvement Era, Vol. 3, p. 881. 
 
 **Horace G. Whitney, in a "Review of the Jubilee," Improvement Era, volume 1, page 
 65, to which the reader is referred for an account in detail of the celebration, writes that up 
 to October 15, badges were also sent to the surviving absent pioneers. Altogether 710 
 pioneers had so far been recorded. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 139 
 
 by them with flowers.* The night was given over to a pageant 
 representing "Salt Lake, Real and Fanciful." 
 
 Among the splendors of the closing day was the grand 
 parade, including the original wagon train, the touching march 
 of the grayhaired, trembling pioneers, who with President 
 Woodruff, who rode in the procession and on the way, were 
 received with salvos of cheers which they smilingly acknowl- 
 edged. The display of fireworks from Capitol Hill, witnessed 
 by at least sixty thousand people, brought the festivities to 
 a close. 
 
 The celebration was a grand success as an honor and a 
 tribute to the noble pioneers, as an entertainment, as a reviver 
 of memories and impresser of the young, an advertiser of the 
 resources of Utah, and a panorama of her fifty years of progress. 
 It was a financial success as well, for after paying their expenses, 
 the commission had a surplus of $2,000 besides its Hall of Relics. 
 It united, also, more closely in interest and feeling all the people 
 of the state, who met upon a common platform, with malice 
 towards none, to glorify the achievements of the "Mormon" 
 Pioneers. 
 
 7. Utah in the War with Spain. 
 
 It was on the 15th day of February, 1898, that the United 
 States Battleship "Maine" was blown up while anchored in 
 the Havana harbor, Cuba, its destruction being doubtless due 
 to the treachery of Spanish officers. The affair led to a war 
 between the United States and Spain which was practically 
 declared in a resolution passed by the lower house of Congress 
 on April 13, following, supplemented by a resolution of the 
 Senate on Saturday, the 16th, declaring Cuban independence, 
 and on the 18th, a joint resolution of Congress to the same 
 effect. The war really began on the 21st, while the first gun 
 was fired by the American cruiser, "Nashville," which caused 
 the surrender of a Spanish lumber merchant vessel, "Buena 
 Ventura." On the 23rd, President William McKinley called 
 
 *Ida Taylor Whitaker, a granddaughter of President Taylor, represented the chil- 
 dren, and said: "As one of the descendants of Utah's 1847 pioneers, I crown you, the oldest 
 of that noble band present here today, and pray God's blessing on you and all your pioneer 
 companions." An appropriate program was presented to a large congregation of assembled 
 people from all parts of the state. 
 
140 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 for 125,000 volunteers, and this was followed by proclamation 
 from Governor Heber M. Wells calling for Utah's quota, five 
 hundred strong, to serve two years. The colored soldiers 
 stationed at Fort Douglas, and who afterwards became famous 
 as the heroes of San Juan Hill, had already (on the 20th) 
 left Salt Lake City, amid the cheers of her citizens, with cries 
 of ' 'Remember the Maine" ringing in their ears. On the 
 23rd, the Sixteenth Infantry, formerly stationed at Fort 
 Douglas, arrived from the north, and were met by Governor 
 Wells and staff and militia officers at Ogden, where five thou- 
 sand citizens gave them a rousing and enthusiastic reception. 
 
 On Thursday (28th), President Woodruff and counsel 
 issued a patriotic appeal to the young Latter-day Saints, call- 
 ing upon them to respond with alacrity to the call made upon 
 Utah to furnish volunteers for the army. Recruiting officers 
 were sent out, and it was only a short time till the ranks were 
 filled by stalwart young men, eager to enter the service of our 
 country. 
 
 It was the first day of May, at daybreak, that Commodore 
 (later Admiral) George Dewey with his American Asiatic 
 Squadron destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila harbor, a 
 victory which added zest and enthusiasm to the volunteers, 
 now coming from all parts of the new state to the common 
 rendezvous in Salt Lake City. Flags were displayed in every 
 hamlet, and city, patriotic programs of song, music and oration 
 were given in the churches and public schools, and by societies 
 and associations everywhere. On the 20th,' Batteries A and 
 B, of about 300 persons, with eight guns, under command of 
 Majors F. A. Grant and Richard W. Young, left Salt Lake with 
 the farewells, best wishes and Godspeed of all the people; they 
 arrived in San Francisco on the 22nd, on their way to the 
 Philippine Islands, and were grandly greeted. These were 
 followed on the 24th by the Utah Cavalry, eighty-two in num- 
 ber, under command of Captain Joseph E. Caine, while Troop 
 1, Torrey's Rough Riders under Colonel John Q. Cannon had 
 gone east on the 15th to be mustered into service at Cheyenne, 
 Wyoming. 
 
 It is not the purpose in this narrative to follow the Utah 
 boys, who had thus come to the front in the service of our 
 country, in their campaigns, but let it suffice to say, they were 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 141 
 
 an honor to their state and country, and their patriotic actions 
 silenced forever the enemies of Utah who were constantly, and 
 especially prior to the time of her admission into the Union, 
 complaining that the "Mormons," who composed the great 
 majority of her citizens, were neither patriotic nor loyal. The 
 Rough Riders returned in October, 1898, having been mustered 
 out of service at Jacksonville, Florida, on the 28th; but the 
 Manila Batteries remained in service until August 16, 1899, 
 when they were mustered out in San Francisco. Governor 
 Wells issued a proclamation designating the 19th a legal holi- 
 day, that being the day of their return to Utah. The day was 
 enthusiastically observed by the people, and the boys were 
 received with heartfelt joy, the welcome extended being as 
 universal as it was sincere. And it was proper that it should 
 be so. 
 
 They did their duty well, and merited the recognition of 
 brave, true soldiers. They returned bearing their full share of 
 the laurels of the war. As a body they made history that will 
 ever remain to their glory, and be a matter of pride to our state 
 forever. Among the most active in the Philippine war, they 
 were individually looked upon as model men, and gained from 
 military experts encomiums of praise for bravery, devotion to 
 duty, ability, earnestness, morality and good behavior. Thus, 
 they not only earned renown for themselves, but placed the 
 name of Utah well up in the roll of honor among the states of 
 our great Republic. Every Utahn, therefore, felt a personal 
 interest in their achievements, and received benefit by their 
 valor and reputation. 
 
 What has been termed good luck, but what rather must be 
 recognized as the blessings of God, accompanied the Utah boys 
 in their travels, in their battles, in their return. Free from 
 storms of nature, and troubles among men, their transports 
 crossed the seas in peace. Notwithstanding they were con- 
 stantly at the front, their number in killed and wounded was 
 phenomenally small. Out of the three hundred and fifty-four 
 enlisted, only thirteen died. Thus the Almighty marvelously 
 
142 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 preserved them from both the fire of the enemy and the ravages 
 of disease.* 
 
 8. Death of President Wilford Woodruff. 
 
 President Wilford Woodruff, who was born at Farmington 
 (now Avon), Hartford county, Connecticut, March 1, 1807, 
 was now in his ninety-second year. He was baptized into the 
 Church, December 31, 1833, when it was little more than three 
 years old. He had seen the Church rise almost from its infancy, 
 and had carefully chronicled its marvelous career in one of the 
 most faithfully kept journals that any man has ever made. His 
 life was wonderfully interwoven with that of the Church. From 
 the time, on January 2, 1834, when he was ordained a teacher, 
 through the various degrees of the Priesthood, and on upward 
 to the time when, on April 26, 1839, he was, in Far West, or- 
 dained one of the Twelve, he was ever associated with the 
 leaders of the Church. He was enthusiastic, true and faithful 
 in every call to further the cause of Zion, which he knew was 
 the cause of God. He was one of the most successful mission- 
 aries the Church has ever had; and one of the most faithful of 
 its servants. He had grown with it from youth; and had wit- 
 nessed marvelous changes, as well as wonderful handdealings 
 of the Lord with the Latter-day Saints. It is difficult to tell 
 which part of his history and that of the Church is the most 
 remarkable the early part, or the later years. He surely 
 witnessed during his administration as its president some of the 
 most remarkable incidents of its wonderful history. Let us 
 glance at a few leading, great historical events of his career 
 as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 
 The fearful persecutions of the Saints, leading to the suspension 
 of polygamy; the disintegration of the People's and Liberal 
 parties, as a result of his so-called manifesto; the adoption of 
 National politics by the people of Utah; the dedication, after 
 
 *For a list of names of the volunteers in Battery A and B and their officers; also of 
 recruits enlisted by Lieut. Edgar A. Wedgewood to fill the Batteries to maximum strength; 
 also of Battery C under Capt. F. W. Jennings; the First Troop Utah, U. S. Vol. Cavalry, 
 Joseph E. Caine, captain; and Troop I, Second Regiment, U. S. Volunteer Cavalry (Tor- 
 rey's Rough Riders), Captain John Q. Cannon; and also a portion of Captain Robert 
 P. Johnston's company, Second regiment U. S. Volunteer Engineers commanded by Col. 
 Willard Young, enlisted in Utah by Lieut. F. J. Mills, see Governor Heber M. Wells' 
 message to the third session of (the state legislature,! January, 1899. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 143 
 
 forty years of building, of the great Salt Lake Temple; the 
 erection of the Lehi sugar plant, demonstrating the power of 
 Utah people to save millions by producing their own sugar; 
 the building of Saltair; the harnessing of the Ogden river to 
 produce light and power; the admission of Utah into the sister- 
 hood of states; the semi-centennial celebration in honor of the 
 Utah pioneers, and the Utah volunteers taking part in the 
 Spanish-American war of 1898. He had now lived to see the 
 fulfilment of his own prophecy, made five years previous, at 
 the dedication of the Temple, that the day is at hand when the 
 rich favor of God will be bestowed upon Zion, and when he will 
 comfort her. Surely, it was so, and his servant, full of years, 
 had lived to witness it. He died in San Francisco, September 
 2, 1898. 
 
 The circumstances in brief surrounding his last days and 
 death were these: On August 13, he left Salt Lake City, with 
 his wife Emma Smith and President George Q. Cannon and his 
 wife, on his way to the Coast for the benefit of his health which 
 was as good as it had been for a number of years. He appeared 
 to be full of vigor and happiness. Arriving at San Francisco, 
 he enjoyed himself greatly, and spoke twice in public to the 
 Latter-day Saints, and at a meeting of Pacific Coast Octo- 
 genarians. On the first day of September he was taken very 
 ill, the cause of his illness being retention of the urine, and on 
 the following day, September 2, at 6:40 a. m., he died at the 
 residence of Col. Isaac Trumbo. That same evening the train, 
 tendered gratuitously by the Southern Pacific Railway Com- 
 pany, bearing his remains left for Utah, arriving at Ogden 
 on Sunday morning, 4th, at 7:05 o'clock. Here the presidency, 
 with the high council and bishops of the Weber stake, with 
 several hundred leading elders from all parts of the country, 
 and many men, women and children of all classes and denom- 
 inations, met at the depot, and with bared heads, as a mark of 
 respect to the departed leader, silently watched the coming of 
 the train. A special Rio Grande train came into the station 
 from Salt Lake a few moments before, bearing President Joseph 
 F. Smith, and a large number of the general authorities of the 
 Church, and members of the family. Without any ceremony, 
 the funeral car was transferred to the Rio Grande to be con- 
 veyed to Salt Lake City. Before its departure, the little chapel 
 
144 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 was thrown open and several hundred people availed themselves 
 of the privilege of paying a silent tribute to the good, upright, 
 honorable man and leader who rested there in the sleep of death. 
 
 Some shook hands with President Cannon who, though 
 ill and broken by the journey and the trying events of the last 
 three days, was still able to greet many of his friends. Tears 
 rolled down his cheeks as he pressed their hands. The plain 
 casket was covered and surrounded with fragrant California 
 flowers, surmounted by a bearded sheaf of ripe wheat, a fitting 
 emblem of the full and ripened life of the departed. At its 
 foot stood a column of flowers, and at the head was a pillow of 
 roses, with lilies, asters, carnations, and other blossoms strewn 
 all about. It was a perfect day which welcomed the distin- 
 guished dead to his beloved Utah, one of those clear, sweet 
 September days, witnessed only in this mountain region. The 
 day, too, was observed by the Saints as a fast day, and the sunlit 
 calm surrounding partook of Nature's grandeur, Sabbath peace, 
 and religious devotion. Curiosity had fled from the multitude, 
 to give place to real sorrow among the people. 
 
 Arriving at Salt Lake City, a procession of some thirty 
 carriages formed, and passed after the hearse through the main 
 part of the city, past Liberty Park, to Woodruff Villa. It was 
 decided, later, to hold the funeral services in the Tabernacle, 
 on Thursday, September 8, 1898. On that day thousands 
 attended from all parts of the state. Very rich and effective 
 white drapery of cream and cashmere and white ribbon, on 
 the stand; the great choir, with all the ladies dressed in white; 
 and electric display above the life-sized painting of the deceased, 
 bearing the legend: "Being Dead, Yet Speaketh;" in the back- 
 ground, a large American flag across the great organ; under 
 the portrait of the dead, large bunches of sagebrush, inter- 
 mingled with sun-flowers; tops of rugged pine, the yellow tops 
 of furze and rabbit brush symbols of Utah in the past with 
 ripe sheaves of wheat and oats symbols of today comprise 
 a brief mention of the unique, simple, but beautiful decorations 
 of the Tabernacle. Then there were flowers in profusion, 
 symbols of love for their leader gone to rest, until the bier was 
 literally embossed in a tapestry of blossom. 
 
 After organ music and singing, a prayer was offered by 
 Elder Franklin D. Richards, of the Council of the Twelve, 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 145 
 
 followed by tributes in speech from President Joseph F. Smith, 
 Elders Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards,* and President 
 George Q. Cannon. "God Moves in a Mysterious Way," 
 Elder Woodruff's favorite hymn, was sung, and the closing 
 prayer was offered by Elder Brigham Young of the Council 
 of the Twelve. The cortege, long and grand, proceeded to the 
 cemetery, viewed by thousands of people who thronged the 
 line of march. Arriving at the grave at 2:45 p. m., the Harmony 
 Glee Club sang: "Not Dead, But Sleepeth," and Eldei Francis 
 M. Lyman dedicated the grave which was then covered with 
 a profusion of flowers. 
 
 So died and was laid away, Wilford Woodruff, the farmer, 
 the missionary, the historian, the president, the loving father 
 and husband, a most remarkable man, beloved by a whole 
 people, whose life had been a long, busy round of unselfish 
 usefulness. 
 
 9. President Lorenzo Snow's Administration. 
 
 Some years prior to the death of President Woodruff, he 
 had warned the apostles, upon whom devolves the responsi- 
 bility of presiding in case the First Presidency is unorganized 
 for any cause, that there would be no long interval between his 
 death and the organization of a new First Presidency. Acting 
 upon thh warning, and being inspired by the Spirit of God, 
 President Lorenzo Snow was by them chosen, sustained and 
 set apart, as President of the Church, on September 13, 1898, 
 eleven days after the death of President Woodruff. He chose 
 
 *Apostle Franklin Dewey Richards died on the morning of December 9, 1899, at his 
 home in Ogden. He was born at Richmond, Massachusetts, April 2, 1831, and was the 
 son of Phineas and Wealthy Richards. He was baptized by his father, in 1836, was or- 
 dained a seventy in 1839, an apostle in 1849, and became president of the quorum of Twelve 
 Apostles, when Apostle Lorenzo Snow was chosen President of the Church, in 1898. He 
 was buried in the Ogden Cemetery, his funeral being attended by President Snow, the 
 Twelve and large concourses of people. 
 
 He filled many missions at home and in foreign lands, and his name is familiar to the 
 Saints in all the world. It may truly be said that he served the people all his days, and that, 
 too, in both a religious and civil capacity. He held the important office of probate judge 
 in Weber county from 1869 to 1883. Among his other labors he was Historian of the 
 Church, and in this capacity did much to preserve valuable data, civil and ecclesiastical. 
 He was also president of the State Historical Society. 
 
 He was an ideal Latter-day Saint. Kind, fatherly, loving a man who won the re- 
 spect and confidence of all who knew him. When he spoke, all listened as to one who would 
 utter only that which was good, and which would grieve none. He was thoroughly in ac- 
 cord with the spirit of Joseph Smith, his very being vibrating with the testimony of the 
 prophet's divine mission. 
 
146 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 as his counselors, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, 
 who had acted, in that capacity under both Presidents Taylor 
 and Woodruff. The choice was confirmed by the Church in 
 solemn assembly, at the following October semi-annual con- 
 ference. 
 
 President Lorenzo Snow was born at Mantua, Portage 
 county, Ohio, April 3, 1814, and entered Oberlin College at 
 twenty-one years of age, where he received a good education. 
 In 1836, he was baptized into the Church, and in the following 
 year began his ministerial career. Three years later, 'he went 
 with Parley P. Pratt to Europe, on his first mission, and while 
 in England published a religious pamphlet, "The Only Way to 
 be Saved," a work that has served to familiarize more people, 
 in more languages, with the first principles of the gospel, than 
 any other publication of the kind ever written; and through 
 which he will continue to bear his testimony to the nations. 
 Returning to America in 1843, at the head of two hundred and 
 fifty converts, he conducted, in the year following, a vigorous 
 campaign in Ohio for Joseph Smith for President of the United 
 States. Later, he taught the grammar school in Nauvoo, and 
 finally, after much sickness and tribulation, arrived in Salt 
 Lake Valley, in 1848. On the year following, having first been 
 ordained an apostle, on February 12, he opened the Italian 
 mission, translating the Book of Mormon. Returning in July, 
 1852, after three years absence, he was elected a member of 
 the territorial legislature, and he served altogether twenty- 
 nine years in that body, until 1882. With fifty families 
 he founded Brigham City, in 1855, where he dwelt, 
 established the united order of Brigham, and presided over the 
 Box Elder stake for twenty-two years, until August, 1877, 
 serving also on two missions during this period in 1872, 
 with George A. Smith to Europe and Palestine, and, in 1864, 
 to the Sandwich Islands. It was in March, while on this latter 
 mission that he was providentially saved after being nearly 
 drowned in the Pacific.* About the time the "raid" was in 
 full force, in November, 1885, he was convicted of unlawful 
 cohabitation and sentenced to three terms of six months each 
 in the Utah penitentiary, serving eleven months, and being 
 
 *See, "Gospel Doctrine," pp. 677-9. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 147 
 
 later released on a writ of habeas corpus. On the sixth of 
 April, 1889, he became president of the quorum of Twelve 
 Apostles, which position he magnified until he was made 
 President of the Church. 
 
 When President Snow took charge of the affairs of the 
 Church it was largely involved in debt, owing to the troubles 
 incident to the confiscation of its property during the perse- 
 cutions of a decade which ended with the "changed conditions" 
 in the early 90's. The financial affairs of the Church had 
 been a great burden upon President Woodruff, for he was a 
 man who had never been in debt, and who had never realized 
 its worry, until his official position placed him there. 
 
 President Snow seems to have been especially selected of 
 God to relieve the Church of this burden of debt, and to place 
 its affairs upon a sound business basis, for no sooner was he 
 installed, than he was inspired to find a remedy for the financial 
 strain. He authorized two bond issues aggregating a million 
 dollars, thus paying the most pressing obligations, and thereby 
 materially reducing the interest rate upon borrowed money. 
 
 Then followed the movement which revived the observ- 
 ance of the law of tithing a movement which marked his 
 administration as one of the most notable in the history of the 
 Church. It began by meetings in St. George and the South, 
 in May, 1899, and was followed by a universal gathering of the 
 leading Priesthood authorities in the Salt Lake Temple, whence 
 the message of reform, like a wave, rolled over every stake of 
 Zion, awakening the people to their duty. The Saints were re- 
 minded of the promise that this would be a land of Zion only 
 to those who obeyed the divine law in relation to tithes and 
 offerings. They must pay their tithes, not alone to release the 
 Church from debt, which was a mere incident, but because it 
 is a command of the Lord and must be obeyed. Past remiss- 
 ness would be forgiven, but in the future, there must be no 
 neglect of the heavenly law. It was promised that if the law 
 were obeyed great blessings would come to the Saints; while if 
 it were not heeded, the Lord, for their disobedience, would 
 scourge them with calamities. The people responded in hu- 
 mility and love, and tithes and offerings came as never before. 
 President Snow grew in their estimation as they in the fear of 
 God. Their conditions improved, prospects brightened, and 
 
148 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 with them came improvements in the affairs of the Church. 
 At no time has God showered blessings upon his people in 
 greater abundance than since they began to comply with this 
 law. The floating obligations of the Church were paid; and 
 means were on hand to meet all other obligations as they became 
 due. Changes and improvements followed, with great temporal 
 as well as spiritual revivals, that promised mighty results for 
 the future. 
 
 The Bee Hive block was divided, making two new streets 
 College Avenue and Temple Street; the Bee Hive was made the 
 official residence of the President; old, unsightly landmarks 
 were removed, and the Church property renovated ; the Latter- 
 day Saints University was established, and one of its build- 
 ings erected; and the Church school system, established by 
 President Woodruff, received a fresh impetus; the Brigham 
 Young Memorial Building and Barratt Hall were begun; the 
 Woman's building, now called the Bishop's Building, was 
 founded and encouraged; the tabernacle organ was remodeled 
 at a cost of about $12,000; organ recitals were continued; the 
 magnificent Deseret News building was nearly completed; 
 the printing of Church publications was taken from private 
 printers and placed in the hands of the Church printing office; 
 and the Deseret News greatly improved and made the official 
 organ of the Church. To President Snow must be given the 
 credit, in the hands of God, of inaugurating this progressive 
 business policy. 
 
 One of the notable events occurring in his administration 
 was the death of President George Q. Cannon, who departed 
 this life in Monterey, California, in the early morning of Friday, 
 April 12, 1901. His body was brought to Salt Lake City on 
 the evening of Monday following. In his death the Church of 
 Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lost a strong, conservative 
 counselor; the state, a mighty pillar of strength; the business 
 world, a forceful and progressive man of affairs ; and his family, 
 a loving, impartial brother, husband and father. 
 
 George Quayle Cannon was born in Liverpool, England, 
 on the llth day of January, 1827, and was the oldest son of 
 George and Ann Quayle Cannon, who were natives of Peel, 
 on the Isle of Man. He joined the Church in 1840, being bap- 
 tized by the late President John Taylor, February 11. In 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 149 
 
 September, 1842, the family sailed for Nauvoo; the mother died 
 and was buried in mid-ocean. On August 17, two years there- 
 after, the father died, in St. Louis. George Q. entered into the 
 printing business, working in the offices of the Times and Sea- 
 sons and the Nauvoo Neighbor. At the time of the expulsion, 
 he went to Winter Quarters, and in 1847, crossed the plains, 
 arriving in the Valley October 3. After laboring with the pion- 
 eers for his living, and enduring with them the hardships of 
 the times for two years, he was called on a mission to Califor- 
 nia, under the direction of Elder Charles C. Rich. His sub- 
 sequent call to the Sandwich Islands, and his faithful, though 
 difficult, labors there in the introduction of the gospel to the 
 natives, four thousand of whom joined the Church, his trans- 
 lation of the Book of Mormon into the native language, his 
 founding of the Western Standard, in California, and his 
 literary labors thereon, are matters of well known history. He 
 returned in January, 1858, owing to the Johnston's army 
 trouble. From that time on, his history is very closely inter- 
 woven with the history of the Church and Utah. Few impor- 
 tant movements took place in either, during forty years, that 
 were not largely shared or shaped by George Q. Cannon. 
 
 As editor at various times of the Deseret News; as the pub- 
 lisher and editor of the Juvenile Instructor, which he established 
 in January, 1866; and as publisher and writer of books, his 
 works were in the van of Church literature,* andfhe stood as 
 leader among Church writers. In educational affairs, his in- 
 fluence was no less. He threw his whole soul into the great 
 Sunday School movement which was greatly accelerated by the 
 publication of the Juvenile; for twenty years, he was a member 
 of the Board of Regents of the University, ten years of which 
 time as Chancellor he stood at the head of the institution, a 
 strong supporter and an ardent advocate of higher education, 
 in its most trying years in Utah. His labors in the same direc- 
 tion, with and in behalf of the great school, the Brigham Young 
 University, and other Church educational institutions, stand out 
 boldly to view, for he was ever alert to their needs and best 
 interests. His strength consisted largely in his humility; and 
 his power as a wise counselor lay in his deference for the opin- 
 ions of others, and in his willingness to listen to and respect 
 their views. He ably represented Utah in Congress, and there 
 
150 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 won the esteem and respect of the leading men of the nation. 
 As a diplomat, he had few equals; as a forceful public speaker, 
 he bound his hearers, as in a spell, to the views he advocated. 
 
 He was laid to rest in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, on 
 Wednesday, April 17. The services in the Tabernacle were 
 very impressive. There were sweet music and song, beauti- 
 ful decorations of white, and a wilderness of sweetly-woven 
 flowers offerings from loving friends at home and in distant 
 parts of our country. Touching eulogies on his noble life and 
 deeds, were pronounced by his faithful brethren to ten thou- 
 sand silent listeners, men, women and children; and throughout 
 the whole Church, there was deep and universal mourning, 
 as when a great people part with a beloved chieftain, father, 
 counselor and guide. 
 
 President Lorenzo Snow was soon to follow his counselor 
 to the great beyond. He died at his home in the Bee Hive 
 House, Salt Lake City, Utah, Thursday, October 10, 1901, 
 at 3:34 o'clock p. m. The cause of his sudden death was a 
 cold contracted some weeks before, which was not considered 
 serious, but which later developed into bronchitis. He was 
 unable to attend more than one meeting of the October semi- 
 annual conference on Sunday afternoon of the 6th when 
 he gave his last address to a vast congregation assembled in 
 the great tabernacle. 
 
 The burden of his last message to the Saints was "God 
 bless you." Upon the presidents of stakes and high counselors, 
 he especially placed the sacred responsibility of the local govern- 
 ment of the fifty stakes of Zion,* enjoining them to regard and 
 take an interest in the people in their various stakes, as 
 they would members of their own families, studying wherein 
 they may best render them help, physical, spiritual and finan- 
 cial. He repeatedly cautioned them not to forget his words, 
 and that they must remember that it is their duty to look after 
 these things. It is not the business of the apostles. They, 
 with the seventies, are chosen to care for the interest of the 
 world, as special witnesses of the gospel unto the nations. 
 He also announced that he had chosen a counselor, in the place 
 
 *The Church had grown so that it required more and more officers to look after the 
 people, and it was President Snow's policy to divide some of the larger stakes, in order that 
 the people might be better cared for by the Priesthood. In this way Cache, Salt Lake 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 151 
 
 of the late President George Q. Cannon, since he felt his age, 
 and desired more help. At the same meeting President Joseph 
 F. Snn'th was sustained as his first counselor and Elder Rudger 
 Clawson as his second. 
 
 As a fulfilment of this requirement and a sample of what 
 was to follow, Elder Heber J. Grant, of the Council of the 
 Twelve, with three other missionaries, had left Utah on July 
 24, to open the mission field and introduce the gospel in Japan 
 and Elder Francis M. Lyman left a month or two earlier to 
 take charge of the interests of the Church in Europe. 
 
 President Snow had been an active minister among the 
 people for nearly sixty-five years of his busy life. Sixty-five 
 years, too, of wonderful achievement wrought in the midst of 
 privation, toil and hardship, in all of which, with childlike con- 
 fidence in God, and love for his fellow men, he fully, cheerfully, 
 bravely, and with unwavering determination bore his share of 
 the day's heat and burden. 
 
 With song and music, and eulogy, mingled with the tears 
 of the old and young, President Snow's body was laid to rest, 
 Sunday, October 13, on the hillside, in the cemetery above the 
 beautiful settlement, Brigham city of his founding. His spirit 
 is exalted with the just. To him went out, in death as they had 
 in life, the love and respect of a mighty and peculiar people, 
 all of whom, if it had been possible, would gladly have placed 
 flowers upon his bier, or, like the children of Box Elder, be- 
 strewn with blossoms the pathway of his last journey. 
 
 and Utah stakes were each divided into three. The names of the stakes of Zion, in alphabet- 
 ical order, and as constituted November, 1901, follows: 
 
 Alberta, Fremont, Oneida, Star Valley, 
 
 Alpine, Granite, Panguitch, Summit, 
 
 Bannock, Hyrum, Parowan, Teton, 
 
 Bear Lake, Jordan, Pocatello, Tooele, 
 
 Beaver, Juab, St. George, Uintah, 
 
 Benson, Juarez, St. Johns, Union, 
 
 Big Horn, Kanab, St. Joseph, Utah, 
 
 Bingham, Malad, Salt Lake, Wasatch, 
 
 Box Elder, Maricopa, San Juan, Wayne, 
 
 Cache, Millard, San Luis, Weber, 
 
 Cassia, Morgan, Sevier, Woodruff. 
 
 Davis, Nebo, Snowflake, 
 
 Emery North Sanpete South Sanpete, 
 
152 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 VI. 
 
 PROGRESS AND GROWTH UNDER PRESIDENT 
 JOSEPH F. SMITH. 
 
 1. Joseph F. Smith Chosen President. 
 
 The prophet's lips were sealed, a noble workman of our 
 Father was carried away, but the "marvelous work and a won- 
 der" falters not upon its triumphant march. Other men were 
 chosen who made it equally effective in their day. The first 
 quorum in the Church was again completely organized on 
 Thursday, October 17, 1901, at a meeting of the apostles, in 
 the Temple, when Joseph F. Smith was chosen and set apart as 
 the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 
 and he selected as his counselors, John R. Winder and Anthon 
 H. Lund. At the same time Brigham Young, Jr., was chosen 
 and set apart as president of the quorum of Twelve apostles. 
 
 President Smith was born in Far West, Missouri, in the 
 midst of plunderings and severest hardships and persecutions, 
 on the thirteenth day of November, 1838. Ten years later 
 (September 23, 1848), he came to Utah and with his mother 
 his father, Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch, having suffered martyr- 
 dom with the Prophet Joseph, on that fateful June 27, 1844. 
 In 1852 his mother died, and from the age of fifteen years, he 
 was constantly in the service of the Church, and by his straight- 
 forward course won the love, confidence and esteem of the whole 
 community. He was ordained an apostle under the hands of 
 President Young, on July 1, 1866, and on the eighth of October, 
 1867, was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Quorum of Twelve 
 apostles. 
 
 President Smith was a friend of the people, easily ap- 
 proached, a wise leader and counselor, a man of broad 'views, 
 and contrary to first impressions, a man whose sympathies were 
 easily aroused. He was a reflex of the best character of the 
 "Mormon" people inured to hardships, patient in trial, 
 God-fearing, self-sacrificing, full of love for the human race, 
 powerful in religious, moral, mental and physical strength, 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 153 
 
 He had an imposing physical appearance, was tall, erect, 
 well-knit and symmetrical in build, with a prominent coun- 
 tenance. When speaking he threw his full, clear brown eyes 
 wide operi on the listener who readily perceived from their 
 penetrating glimpse the wonderful mental power of the tal 
 forehead above. His large head was crowned with an abundant 
 growth of hair, in his early years dark, but later, like his full 
 beard, tinged with a liberal sprinkling of gray, and at last a 
 beautiful white. In conversation, one was forcibly impressed 
 with the sudden changes in appearance of his countenance, 
 under the different influences of his mind ; now intensely pleasant, 
 with an enthusiastic and child-like interest in immediate sub- 
 jects and surroundings; now absent, the mobility of his features 
 set in that earnest, almost stern, majesty of expression so 
 characteristic of his portraits so indicative of the severity of 
 the conditions and environments of his early life. Bravery 
 and fidelity to trust. were indissolubly interwoven with his 
 character. He was never known to shirk a duty or prove rec- 
 reant to a responsibility. 
 
 As a public speaker, his leading trait was an intense 
 earnestness. He impressed the hearer with his message more 
 from the sincerity of its delivery, and the honest earnestness of 
 his manner, than from any learned exhibition of oratory or 
 studied display of logic. He touched the hearts of the people 
 with the simple eloquence of one who is himself convinced of 
 the truths presented. He was a pillar of marvelous strength 
 in the Church, thoroughly inbued with the truths of the gospel, 
 and the divine origin of this work. 
 
 Under him the affairs of the Church were in the care of a 
 wise, able and conservative servant of the Lord, who had the 
 full confidence, sympathy and earnest prayers of the Latter- 
 day Saints during his long and prosperous administration, under 
 the inspiration and blessing of God. 
 
 When it was first announced that a new Presidency had 
 been chosen there was universal satisfaction among the people, 
 and it was generally realized that the Saints felt in their hearts 
 to say, Amen. 
 
 This was verified when, on Sunday, November 10, the 
 special conference and solemn assembly of the priesthood rati- 
 fied, without dissenting voice, the choice made by the apostles. 
 
154 A BRIEF HISTORY OP THE CHURCH. 
 
 Every stake of Zion, except one, later heard from, was repre- 
 sented either at the assembly or by letter transmitting action 
 taken in local conference by the people. All the general au- 
 thorities were sustained, including Hyrum Mack Smith as a 
 member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. It was a most 
 impressive scene to witness the Priesthood, occupying the 
 elevated stands and the central parts of the great tabernacle, 
 rise to their feet, and with uplifted hands, each quorum in 
 order, covenant to sustain and uphold the authorities as pre- 
 sented. This action was followed by the whole congregation, 
 the whole body of the Church, likewise rising to their feet and 
 making in the same manner a like covenant. The voting was 
 done in the following order, President Joseph F. Smith, him- 
 self presenting all the names to be voted for: First Presidency, 
 Apostles, Patriarchs, Presidents of Stakes and their counselors 
 and High Councilors, High Priests, Seventies, Elders, Bishops 
 and their counselors, the lesser Priesthood (Priests, Teachers 
 and Deacons), and the members of the Church, including the 
 priesthood. The unity manifested among the ten thousand 
 people was something wonderful to behold; while it must have 
 been as astonishing to the stranger as it was a. means of thrilling 
 joy to the authorities and the true lover of the work of God. 
 Surely such a manifestation of unity had its power for good both 
 in the heavens and upon the earth. 
 
 The prayers of the Saints ascended in behalf of the breth- 
 ren chosen to direct, under the inspiration of God, the destiny 
 of the Church, while the work of the Lord, thus auspiciously 
 beginning another administration in the history of its achieve- 
 ments, continued, under President Joseph F. Smith and as- 
 sociates, to make rapid advance in the pathway of its glorious 
 destiny! 
 
 2. The Bureau of Information. 
 
 The interests of the Church, steadily and with rapid strides, 
 advanced in every department, both spiritual and material. 
 
 In the matter of missionary work, one of the first and, 
 perhaps, one of the most successful institutions initiated, was 
 the Bureau of Information and Church Literature. Salt Lake 
 City being a stopping place for thousands of trans-continental 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 155 
 
 tourists from all the nations of the world, the Bureau of In- 
 formation has become a daily necessity for the enlightenment 
 and information of the traveling public, relating to the Lat- 
 ter-day Saints and their institutions. 
 
 No systematized method had been adopted at home, to 
 enlighten these strangers as to the history, institutions, and faith 
 of the Latter-day Saints, until this mission on the temple block 
 was begun in July, 1902. The Bureau was at first housed in 
 a very small building, costing about $500, and was opened on 
 August 4 of that year under the charge of Benjamin Goddard, 
 Thomas Hull, Arnold Schultess, and Josiah Burrows, as a 
 directing committee. Benjamin Goddard has remained in 
 charge, through various changes of the committee, up to the 
 present time. Persons are chosen to assist in escorting strangers 
 around the temple block, who work without pay or gifts from 
 the visitors. The tour is of such a character that children, as 
 well as young and old Latter-day Saints, everyone, would be 
 greatly benefited by the information and inspiring stories of 
 the guides. 
 
 At the close of the fourth day after opening, more than 
 five thousand people had registered and at the close of the 
 first year, the number of visitors had swelled to 150,000. The 
 number continued to increase with the years and during the 
 summer of 1920, the great volume of visitors reached about 
 400,000. 
 
 In 1904, the work had grown so rapidly and was so ap- 
 preciated by travelers, that a new, commodious building, of 
 granite foundation and brick walls, was erected on the south 
 side of the block and was dedicated on Saturday, March 26. 
 The cost was about $9,000. Later, in 1910, an addition, costing 
 about $11,000, was made to the building on the east. Subse- 
 quently a second story was added, now used as library, reading, 
 and rest room for tourists. Later, in 1918, an addition was 
 erected, now housing a museum of pioneer relics, and archaeo- 
 logical and ethnological exhibits. 
 
 Up to 1914, over 400,000 pamphlets had been printed and 
 distributed, and this number has since reached into the mil- 
 lions. Many Church works have been sold, and untold leaf- 
 lets of a doctrinal character, magazines and other publications, 
 containing information about the State and the Church, have 
 
156 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 been distributed. The missionaries, who have freely devoted 
 their time and efforts on the grounds, have accomplished a 
 splendid work, recognized as resulting in benefit and advantage 
 to the Church the world over; and their labors, too, have been 
 among a class of people difficult to reach in their homes, or in 
 any other way. The work goes steadily on and the Bureau has 
 grown to be one of the best missionary institutions in the 
 Church. 
 
 3. Church Building. 
 
 Within five years after President Smith's inauguration, 
 the bonded debts of the Church were paid. The last bonds 
 were burned in the fireplace of the old President's office. Re- 
 ferring to the occasion, President Lund says: "I remember 
 how President Smith rejoiced when we made a bonfire of bonds 
 that called for a million dollars, for we felt, 'Now the Church is 
 free from debt!' " 
 
 It became evident that in order to insure the greatest 
 growth and guarantee stability in the mission fields,* it would 
 be necessary to have suitable churches for the accommodation 
 of the elders, converts and investigators. To this end, buildings 
 were erected in various missions, which policy greatly ac- 
 celerated missionary labors. In August, 1902, a building was 
 erected in Copenhagen, Denmark; in Christiania, Norway, the 
 Church already owned one, but rebuilt and enlarged it. New 
 quarters were purchased, about this time, in Liverpool, Eng- 
 land, and in Stockholm, Sweden, and suitable buildings erected 
 thereon. In 1903, a mission building was erected at Denver; 
 and late in 1904, a comfortable and commodious church was pur- 
 chased in Chicago, also a pleasant mission home in Chattanooga, 
 Tenn. Land was purchased in South Africa also. There were 
 also built a mission house and church in Los Angeles, Calif. 
 A church was erected about this time in Boise, Idaho, which 
 place was later taken into the Boise stake of Zion. There were 
 also built at Independence, the headquarters of the Central 
 
 *There were 23 missions in 1920: Australia, British, California, Canadian, Central 
 States, Eastern States, Hawaiian, Japan, Mexican, Netherlands, New Zealand. Northern 
 States, Northwestern States, Norwegian, Samoa, Scandinavian, Southern States, South 
 Africa, Swiss and German, Swedish, Tahitian, Tonga, Western States, besides the Bureau 
 of Information, in Salt Lake City. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 157 
 
 States Mission, a commodious church and mission headquarters. 
 In 1916, additional real estate, adjoining the mission property 
 was purchased. Ward meeting houses, stake houses, and stake 
 quarters, academies and schools were erected in all parts of the 
 Church at home. During the year 1916, the Church contrib- 
 uted toward the erection of ward and stake houses the handsome 
 amount of $177,736. Property was also purchased in Brooklyn, 
 New York, and a house erected thereon costing about $52,000. 
 A new chapel was dedicated in Portland, Oregon, by President 
 Smith, June 13, 1915. The "Church Office Building" in Salt 
 Lake City, a structure built of steel, cement, and granite, one 
 of the great and beautiful buildings of the western United 
 States, was erected in 1914-17 at a cost of $864,562 with equip- 
 ment to supercede old buildings erected by President Brigham 
 Young that for sixty years or more had served as headquarters 
 for the Church. An addition was built to the Groves' Latter- 
 day Saints hospital, and the Thomas D. Dee Memorial hospital, 
 Ogden, was transferred to the Church. In fact, President 
 Joseph F. Smith's whole administration was one of progress 
 in building. Not only was he a temple-building president, but 
 he was a builder of stake and ward houses, and of mission 
 quarters, to such an extent that as early as 1906, the Church 
 had more headquarters in foreign missions, in Great Britain, 
 in Scandinavia, in the United States, and on the islands of the 
 seas, where the elders might gather, meet for council, and find 
 a resting place in times of sickness and distress, than it had ever 
 before had in all its history in the world. It was an epoch of 
 building both at home and abroad.* 
 
 One incident which greatly pleased the Saints who were 
 interested in the shaping of events that shall lead to the re- 
 demption of the latter-day Zion and the erection of the 
 temple "in the land of promise and the place of the city of 
 Zion", was the acquisition of twenty-five and three-fourths 
 acres of land in Jackson county, Missouri, in April, 1904. This 
 ground is part of the original eighty-five-acre temple lot at 
 
 *The Improvement Era, for June, 1914, Vol. 17, No. 8, devotes one hundred pages to 
 the worship of the Latter-day Saints, and is illustrated with about twenty buildings erected 
 before, and twenty-nine ward and stake buildings, with descriptions, erected since, 1901; 
 '07 wards out of 724, at that time, owned meeting houses, ranging in cost from five to 
 thirty-five thousand dollars. 
 
158 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Independence and was purchased by the Church at the cost 
 of $25,000. A great part of this means was donated by faithful 
 Saints, many of whom had passed away without beholding the 
 fulfilment of the promises relating to the return of the Saints 
 to Jackson county, but who, nevertheless, had full faith in the 
 ultimate fruition of the promises of the Lord regarding the land. 
 
 4. Growth of the Church. 
 
 The great missionary work which the Latter-day Saints 
 have carried on for many years continued throughout the 
 foreign nations, and up to and including 1916, until just before 
 the United States entered the great war, April 6, 1917, during 
 which period, practically 2,000 or more elders were kept in the 
 mission field continually. 
 
 By leaps and bounds the Church grew rapidly, both by 
 new converts and by natural increase. In the decade between 
 1906 and 1916, there was a remarkable percent of increase in 
 surrounding states, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, 
 Arizona, and Nevada. In Nevada the gain was from 6.6 per 
 cent to 21.2 per cent in 1916; and in Idaho from 41.4 per cent 
 to 53.5 per cent, according to the report of the U. S. Bureau of 
 Census. Throughout the Church the people increased in such 
 numbers that it became expedient to continue to organize new 
 stakes and wards. Up to the close of 1904, five new stakes were 
 created, and bishops' wards increased from 562 to 627. At 
 the close of 1920, the stakes numbered 83, and the bishops' 
 wards, 872, not including 48 independent branches, making 
 920 all told. 
 
 During 1901, prior to President Smith's incumbency, 
 seven new stakes had been created as follows: making 50 in 
 all:* Alpine, Jan. 13, 1901; Benson, May 1, 1901; Bighorn, 
 May 26, 1901; Hyrum, April 30, 1901, Nebo, Jan. 20, 1901; 
 Teton, Sept. 2, 1901, and Union, June 9, 1901. Since then 
 stakes have been organized as follows: 
 
 Taylor. 51. From Alberta, Canada. Aug. 30, 1903. 
 
 Blackfoot. 52. From Bingham, Idaho. Jan. 31, 1904. 
 
 Liberty. 53. From Salt Lake, Utah. Feb. 26, 1904. 
 
 Pioneer. 54. From Salt Lake, Utah. Mar. 24, 1904. 
 
 *See list of former stakes pages 150-1. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 159 
 
 Ensign. 
 
 55. 
 
 From Salt Lake, Utah. 
 
 April 1, 
 
 1904. 
 
 Rigby. 
 
 56. 
 
 From Fremont, Idaho. 
 
 Feb. 3, 
 
 1908. 
 
 Ogden. 
 
 57. 
 
 From Weber, Utah. 
 
 July 19, 
 
 1908. 
 
 North Weber. 
 
 58. 
 
 From Weber, Utah. 
 
 July 19, 
 
 1908. 
 
 Bear River. 
 
 59. 
 
 From Box Elder and Malad,Utah. Oct.ll, 
 
 1908. 
 
 Yellowstone. 
 
 60. 
 
 From Fremont, Idaho. 
 
 Jan. 10, 
 
 1909. 
 
 Carbon. 
 
 61. 
 
 From Emery, Utah. 
 
 May 8, 
 
 1910. 
 
 Duchesne. 
 
 62. 
 
 From Uintah, Utah. 
 
 Dec. 2, 
 
 1910. 
 
 Young. 
 
 63. 
 
 From San Juan, Colo. 
 
 May 21, 
 
 1912. 
 
 Deseret. 
 
 64. 
 
 From Millard, Utah. 
 
 Aug. 11, 
 
 1912. 
 
 Moapa (Nevada.) 
 
 65. 
 
 From St. George, Utah. 
 
 Sept. 8, 
 
 1912. 
 
 Boise. 
 
 66. 
 
 From Union and Cassia, 
 
 Idaho. Nov. 3, 
 
 1913. 
 
 Shelley. 
 
 67. 
 
 From Blackfoot, Idaho. 
 
 Aug. 16, 
 
 1914. 
 
 Cottonwood. 
 
 68. 
 
 From Granite, Utah. 
 
 Nov. 29, 
 
 1914. 
 
 Raft River. 
 
 69. 
 
 From Cassia, Idaho. 
 
 April 27, 
 
 1915. 
 
 Curlew. 
 
 70. 
 
 From Box Elder, Utah. 
 
 May 17, 
 
 1915. 
 
 North Davis. 
 
 71. 
 
 From Davis, which was 
 
 
 
 June 
 Aug. 
 Nov. 
 Apr. 
 Dec. 
 July 
 July 
 Aug. 
 
 16, 
 14, 
 19, 
 22, 
 23, 
 27, 
 27, 
 3, 
 
 1915. 
 1915. 
 1916. 
 1917. 
 1917. 
 1919. 
 1919. 
 1919. 
 
 changed to South Davis. 
 
 Portneuf. 72. From Pocatello, Idaho. 
 
 Idaho. 73. From Bannock, Idaho. 
 
 Tintic. 74. From Nebo, Utah. 
 
 Montpelier. 75. From Bear Lake, Idaho. 
 
 Twin Falls. 76. From Cassia, Idaho. 
 
 Burley. 77. From Cassia, Idaho. 
 
 Elaine. 78. From Boise, Idaho. 
 
 Lost River. 79. From Blackfoot and North- 
 
 western Mission, Idaho. Aug. 17, 1919. 
 
 Logan. . 80. From Cache, Utah. June 5, 1920. 
 
 Franklin. 81. From Oneida, Idaho. June 6, 1920. 
 
 Roosevelt. 82. From Duchesne, Utah. June 26, 1920. 
 
 Garfield. 83. From Wayne & Panguitch, Utah. Aug. 29, 1920. 
 
 While these facts indicate unequalled spiritual expansion 
 and growth, the people were also progressing wonderfully in 
 material, intellectual and artistic affairs. New enterprises 
 were established. Canning factories for- foods and vegetables, 
 sugar works, mills and manufacturing establishments were 
 erected or were added to those already built in northern Utah 
 and southern Idaho. The people were blessed with abundant 
 harvests of all kinds; new and modern homes were erected in 
 all the chief cities and settlements of the people. 
 
160 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Improved printing facilities were introduced. Many 
 important Church works were published. Among these may be 
 named the "History of the Prophet, Joseph," by his mother; 
 "History of the Church," six volumes, edited by B. H. Roberts; 
 also a "History of the Mormon People," an original work of 
 three thousand pages by the same author, who also issued three 
 volumes of "New Witnesses for God," and other volumes on, 
 "In Defense of the Faith;" and a "Complete Concordance of 
 the Book of Mormon," by George Reynolds. The "Book of 
 Mormon," in Japanese was translated and published, by Alma 
 0. Taylor, in Japan; "One Hundred Years of Mormonism," 
 by John Henry Evans; "Two Thousand Gospel Quotations," 
 by Henry H. Rolapp; "Jesus, the Christ," by Dr. James E. 
 Talmage who, during the closing years of this administration, 
 also wrote a series of doctrinal writings that were published in 
 the leading dailies of the United States, and in local newspapers 
 and magazines, and from which were compiled and later pub- 
 lished, "The Vitality of Mormonism." There were also many 
 smaller works published by the Church and by private writers. 
 
 In this connection it must be stated that a Committee on 
 Study for the Priesthood Quorums has been organized for a 
 number of years, and this Committee has published several 
 important volumes used by the quorums for the study of the 
 gospel. Important titles among these published works are, 
 "Gospel Themes," by Orson F. Whitney; "Rational Theol- 
 ogy," by Dr. John A. Widtsoe; "The Restoration," by Osborne 
 J. P. Widtsoe, and "Gospel Doctrine," by President Joseph F. 
 Smith. The revival of the study of the gospel among the 
 priesthood of the Church has been largely due to the efforts of 
 this Committee, and the publication of these and other works. 
 
 In the great Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis, 
 in 1904, Utah won many prizes for her handsome displays of 
 agricultural products, mineral specialties and progressive 
 educational exhibits. The legislature of 1903 set aside $50,000 
 for this great fair. Twelve years later, Utah took a leading 
 part in the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco and 
 San Diego, and in this instance especially, the mining and 
 educational divisions were well represented by Utah. A prom- 
 inently displayed sentiment uttered by President Brigham 
 Young, in 1850, to the Board of Regents of the University of 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 161 
 
 Utah, attracted much attention to the Latter-day Saints and 
 testified to the love of education which has always been a 
 prominent characteristic of the people. It read: "Education 
 is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's 
 work, and the power to appreciate life." 
 
 Among the incidents that tended to increase interest in 
 and understanding of the Latter-day Saints by the people of 
 the Nation was the erection in Sharon, Vermont, of a monu- 
 ment commemorating the one-hundredth anniversary of Joseph, 
 the Prophet. The old Smith farm had been purchased, upon 
 which was also erected a beautiful cottage near this monument 
 which is located on the old homestead where the Prophet was 
 born. The monument was designed and built, under the di- 
 rection of the authorities, by Elder Junius F. Wells, and was 
 dedicated on the 23rd of December, 1905, the one-hundredth 
 anniversary of the birthday of the Prophet, by President Joseph 
 F. Smith.* A large company of prominent members of the 
 Church were present at the dedicatory services. Ever since, 
 the spot has been a conspicuous center for visitors, where re- 
 liable information concerning the Latter-day Saints may be 
 obtained. 
 
 As an indication of the good will of the people of Missouri, 
 it must be stated that the city of Richmond took interest in the 
 dedication of another monument to the memory of Oliver 
 Cowdery, the Second Elder of the Church. This monument 
 was dedicated on the 22nd of November, 1911, by President 
 Heber J. Grant. Elder Junius F. Wells also directed the erec- 
 tion and execution of this monument. About this time, also, 
 two hundred members of the Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir made 
 a 5,500-mile concert tour to the East and to places of early 
 Church history, holding concerts in many prominent cities 
 and being well received everywhere by the people. This com- 
 pany travelled under the direction of Bishop David A. Smith, 
 George D. Pyper, Evan Stephens, and John J. McClellan. 
 
 A monument was erected in Salt Lake City, in addition to the 
 Gull Monument, previously referred to, to the memory of the 
 Patriarch Hyrum Smith, which was unveiled and dedicated 
 
 *For the dedicatory prayer in full, see Improvement Era, February, 1906, volume 9, 
 page 324. 
 
162 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 with very impressive ceremonies on June 27, 1918. The dedi- 
 catory prayer was pronounced by President Charles W. Pen- 
 rose. The opening prayer was by President Anthon H. Lund, 
 and the object and purpose of the monument was given by Elder 
 Junius F. Wells, who had designed it and supervised its erection. 
 President Heber J. Grant delivered a stirring address on Hyrum 
 Smith and his distinguished posterity, his descendants number- 
 ing about six hundred souls, who were nearly all residents of 
 Utah and faithful members of the Church he helped to organize. 
 President Smith was not feeling very well, but was able to be 
 present, and gave a short address expressing his appreciation 
 and gratitude to those who had made it possible for the erec- 
 tion of this monument, and particularly, he spoke of the as- 
 siduity, faithfulness and wisdom of Junius F. Wells. He said: 
 "I don't think there is another man within the range of my 
 acquaintance who could have accomplished the work that 
 Junius F. Wells accomplished in building the monument in 
 Vermont, in memory of the name of the Prophet Joseph 
 Smith."* 
 
 5. Political Affairs. 
 
 At the opening of President Smith's administration, there 
 was, as usual up to this time, considerable stir in politics. The 
 legislature, on January 20, 1903, elected Reed Smoot, United 
 States Senator from Utah. He had been chosen April 8, 1900, 
 a member of the Council of Twelve, to fill the vacancy caused 
 by the death of Franklin D. Richards. The selection of a 
 "Mormon," in high standing in the Church, for this exalted 
 political office was the excuse for a protest sent January 26, 
 by sectarian ministers, lawyers, mining and business men, and 
 editors, numbering eighteen, of Salt Lake City and Utah, to 
 their friends in the East. The agitation culminated in great 
 lists of names being sent to the Senate of the United States 
 protesting the seating of Senator Smoot, and asking for an in- 
 vestigation of his rights to a seat in the Senate, on the ground 
 that he was either a polygamist or assisting polygamy; or, 
 furthermore, that he and his associates were using undue re- 
 ligious influence in political matters. Under this pressure an 
 
 *For a full account, see Improvement Era, Vol. 21, August, 1918. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 163 
 
 investigation and hearing was held by the Senate Committee 
 on Privileges and Elections, beginning January 16, 1904, and 
 continuing until June 11, 1906. The testimony includes 3,427 
 printed pages besides a "Contents-Index" of 147 pages. 
 
 A searching inquiry into the belief and practices of the 
 Latter-day Saints, was instituted before the Committee with a 
 view to unseat the Senator. Something over 106 witnesses 
 were examined, and practically every point at issue was gone 
 into searchingly on both sides of the controversy. 
 
 The following points were thoroughly investigated: 
 Higher-law menace, revelation, plural marriages since the 
 manifesto, unlawful cohabitation, polygamy before the mani- 
 festo, teaching polygamy, endowment ceremonies, personal 
 to Senator Smoot, Church and State, the Thatcher case, 
 Apostles-hierarchy, Church control in temporal affairs, religion 
 classes, Churc"h courts, and Church control in Utah and Idaho 
 politics. The report of the Committee was adverse to the 
 Senator from Utah. It was signed by J. C. Burrows of Mich- 
 igan, chairman. Robert W. Taylor was employed as Counsel 
 to represent the protestants. It was held that, "Mr. Smoot 
 is not entitled to a seat in the Senate, as a Senator from the 
 state of Utah." A minority report held to the opinion that, 
 "There is no just ground for expelling Senator Smoot, or for 
 finding him disqualified for holding the seat he occupies be- 
 cause of the fact that he, in common with all the people of his 
 state, has not made war upon, but has acquiesced in a condi- 
 tion for which he had no original responsibility." This report 
 was signed by J. B. Foraker, Albert J. Beveridge, William P. 
 Dillingham, A. J. Hopkins and P. C. Knox. 
 
 On December 13, 1906, debate in the Senate on the reports 
 began, and from that time on, until February 20, 1907, when a 
 vote was taken upon the resolution, Utah matters were thor- 
 oughly aired in speeches upon the subject by many of the 
 Senators. The resolution was so amended as to require the 
 concurrence of two-thirds of the senators present, and on the 
 resolution so amended the vote stood: yeas, 28; nays, 42; 
 not voting 20. So the resolution was rejected, "two-thirds of 
 the senators present not voting therefor." Senator Smoot 
 retained his seat. 
 
 The result may well be considered satisfactory to all 
 
164 A BRIEF HISTORY OP THE CHURCH. 
 
 concerned, and ended in a better understanding between the 
 leaders of the Nation and the Latter-day Saints, because not 
 only was the Senator's position inquired into and found satis- 
 factory, but nearly all the doctrines and teachings of the Church, 
 and particularly those relating to its relationship with the 
 Government, were set forth in detail by the witnesses, for 
 and against the people, with the result that nothing was found 
 that proved them either a menace to the Nation, or disloyal to 
 its institutions and Government, but, on the contrary, the very 
 opposite. The career of Senator Smoot, during these many 
 years in the Senate, has placed him at the fore-front among the 
 Nation's leaders, and the result has been that the Latter-day 
 Saints are respected and understood, and have been found to be 
 among the Nation's most honored people. His distinguished 
 services have given satisfaction to all concerned, both in the 
 Nation and at home, as witness the state electi6n of 1920, in 
 which he was reelected by the people by an overwhelming 
 majority. 
 
 When the controversy first began, a new anti-' 'Mormon" 
 political party, called the "American", was formed in Utah, 
 supported by Senator Thomas Kearns, whose term of office 
 in the Senate had expired, and to which he had been chosen by 
 the legislature in January, 1901, and who sought reelection. 
 This new party was much after the pattern of the old Liberal 
 Party which existed before the "changed conditions," in 1890, 
 and was formed to fight Senator Smoot and the alleged influence 
 of the Church in politics. They alleged that the Church con- 
 trols the political parties, and that no party in the ascendant 
 in Utah can be free from Church influence; hence the need for 
 this new organization, which was established to bitterly fight 
 politically the people of the Church and the Church authorities, 
 and that purpose was fully exemplified in the campaigns of 
 1904-08, a period of extreme political agitation in Utah. This 
 was followed by an eastern magazine crusade during 1910-11. 
 It was likewise followed by a ruthless, unjust and execrable 
 attack on President Joseph F. Smith, who was cartooned and 
 libeled in a daily paper, the organ of that party at that time, to 
 such an extent that it was almost more than the people could 
 bear, though President Smith, himself, endured the attack 
 without a flinch, knowing himself and his people to be innocent 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 165 
 
 of the charges made against them. The new party lasted only 
 for a short time when the National party lines were again 
 drawn, and the people of the State again united on the Republi- 
 can and Democratic party lines, with a small following of 
 Socialist adherents.* 
 
 President Smith stated, in regard to the attack made upon 
 him and his people in this particular political move, "I feel in 
 my heart to forgive all men in the broad sense, that God requires 
 of me to forgive all men, and I desire to love my neighbor as 
 myself; and to this extent I bear no malice toward any of the 
 children of my Father. But there are enemies to the work of the 
 Lord, as there were enemies to the Son of God. There are these 
 who speak only evil of the Latter-day Saints. There are those 
 and they abound largely in our midst, who will shut their 
 eyes to every virtue and to every good thing connected with 
 this latter-day work, and will pour out floods of falsehood and 
 misrepresentation against the people of God. I forgive them 
 for this. I leave them in the hand of the just Judge."** Again 
 in April, 1908, he said: "We thank God for his mercies and 
 blessings; and I do not know but what we owe in some small 
 degree gratitude to those who have bitterly opposed the work 
 of the Lord; for in all their opposings and bitter strife against 
 our people, the Lord has developed his power and wisdom, and 
 has brought his people more fully into the knowledge and favor 
 of the intelligent people of the earth. Through the very means 
 used by those who have opposed the work of God, he has 
 brought out good for Zion. Yet, it is written, and I believe it 
 is true, that although it must needs be that offenses come, 
 woe unto them by whom they come; but they are in the hands 
 of the Lord as we are. We bring no railing accusation against 
 them. We are willing to leave them in the hands of the Al- 
 mighty to deal with them as seemeth him good. Our business 
 is to work righteousness in the earth, to seek for the develop- 
 ment of a knowledge of God's will and of God's ways, and of 
 his great and glorious truths which he has revealed through the 
 
 *In 1905, the American party elected their candidate for Mayor and a majority of the 
 City Council of Salt Lake City. The city administration thus went into their hands, in 
 which it was held for three terms, 1905 to 1911. The party was overthrown in 1911 by 
 a citizens' ticket and at the same election Salt Lake went under the Commission system 
 ot government, Samuel G. Park, Mayor. 
 **Oct. "Conference Report," 1907, p. 5. 
 
166 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 instrumentality of Joseph the Prophet, not only for the sal- 
 vation of the living but for the redemption and salvation of 
 the dead."* 
 
 6. The Great War. 
 
 The immediate firebrand that started the European con- 
 flagration, and set the whole world in a blaze of war, was the 
 assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the 
 throne of Austria-Hungary. This took place on June 28, 1914, 
 in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, and the tragedy was com- 
 mitted by a young Herzegovinian student named Prinzip who, 
 discharging an automatic pistol at both the prince and his 
 morganatic wife, killed them almost instantly, as they were 
 returning from the town hall, after a reception. The assassin- 
 ation doubtless expressed the resentment of many Serbs at 
 the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria, in 1908, 
 for which Franz Ferdinand was held largely responsible, 
 though the primary causes were a variety of conflicts dating 
 many years into the past. 
 
 But Austria and Servia came to serious relations over the 
 tragedy on July 23, following. The former demanded, in 
 sharp and unqualified words, of the latter, that she give definite 
 assurance henceforth that no anti-Austrian agitators should be 
 permitted to carry on their propaganda in that country. 
 Servia's reply, though conciliatory and pacific, was regarded 
 as unsatisfactory by the Austrian government, which then de- 
 clared war on the former country, on July 28. The next day 
 Austria began the bombardment of Belgrade, and the war 
 spread thence until it not only turned Europe into an unpar- 
 alleled field of battle and carnage, but plunged almost every 
 nation of the world into a far-reaching conflict which has no 
 parallel in loss of life, in suffering, and in destruction of prop- 
 erty, in the history of all time. 
 
 This action was followed by a declaration of war by Ger- 
 many against Russia, on August 1. Then followed war dec- 
 larations, one nation against another, until all the leading 
 nations of Europe were involved. On August 4, Britain def- 
 
 *April "Conference Report." 1908, p. 2, 3. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 167 
 
 initely declared war on Germany and bound herself to support 
 France and Belgium. On this day also the United States 
 declared neutrality. The trouble spread to Japan, China, and 
 the American continent. As the years went on there was not a 
 nation left untouched by the sorrow, death, desolation, loss 
 of property, famine and pestilence that followed the world over, 
 in the wake of the fearful conflict. 
 
 Germany decided to engage in a submarine warfare, and 
 this eventually brought the United States into the war. On 
 May 1, 1915, the Gulflight, an American oil ship from Port 
 Arthur, Texas, to Havre, France, was sunk by what was sup- 
 posed to be a German submarine. Two men who jumped 
 overboard were drowned. More than a month before this 
 event, the Falaba, an African liner, bound from Lisbon for 
 Liverpool, was torpedoed, with a loss of about fifty men, of 
 which one, Leon Chester Thrasher, was an American. Then 
 came the sinking, without warning, of the British passenger 
 liner Lusitania on May 7, 1915, with 1,917 persons on board, 
 1,152 of whom lost their lives. Among these were 114 Ameri- 
 cans who perished, out of 179 on board. Among these were 
 Charles Frohman, who, a minute or two before the end, said 
 to his companions with a smile, ''Why fear death? It is the 
 most beautiful adventure that life gives us;" Alfred G. Vander- 
 bilt; Justus M. Forman, the novelist; and Mr. and Mrs. El- 
 bert Hubbard, and other noted Americans; forty babies and 
 twice as many older children were drowned. Then came a 
 long period of negotiation and notes between the governments 
 while the public were repeatedly asking, "What are we going 
 to do about it?" It was finally clear, after other ships had 
 been attacked, that Germany intended to continue bombard- 
 ing belligerent merchant ships, regardless of whether or not 
 American citizens were on board, though it appeared at one 
 time that a diplomatic settlement had been arrived at which 
 gave promise of avoiding war. But there was increased sub- 
 marine activity, and many British ships were torpedoed, during 
 the months following. Vessels of every kind, whatever their 
 flag, their character, or contents were ruthlessly destroyed. 
 According to Berlin statistics, from the beginning of the 
 war until October 12, 1916, the number of hostile and neutral 
 ships sunk by the sea forces of the Central Powers numbered 
 
168 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 1,253, of 2,569,500 tons; but of these only 200 neutral ships, 
 of 276,528 tons, were sunk for carrying contraband of war. At 
 the end of January, 1917, Germany announced a war zone 
 around the British Isles, along northern France, and in the 
 Mediterranean, from which even neutral shipping was barred. 
 "All ships met within that zone will be sunk by us," said the 
 German order. Neutral ships, including one American, might 
 enter Falmouth once a week, but could enter no other British 
 port, and must follow a lane described by Germany. "Fright- 
 fulness" was the name for the following weeks' intensified 
 submarine warfare, now undertaken by Germany in an effort 
 to starve Britain into making a peace. This decree ended what 
 friendly relations were left with the United States. When the 
 news reached Washington, the port of New York was closed, 
 February 1, 1917, to all outgoing vessels. President Woodrow 
 Wilson addressed Congress the next day announcing that 
 Count Bernstorff, the German Embassador, had been given his 
 passports, and that U. S. Embassador Gerard had been re- 
 called from Germany. The weeks following, until April 2, 
 were full of important events, including the German retreat 
 in the West, the fall of Bagdad, March 11; the revolution in 
 Russia, resulting in the abdication of Czar Nicholas II on 
 March 15, and later in the ignominious death of his whole 
 family and himself, at the hands of his own people; and the 
 formation, after many vicissitudes, of a Bolshivik govern- 
 ment, still existing at the close of 1920, under Lenine and Leon 
 Trotzky, full of such ruthless horrors as compared with which 
 the French Revolution's Reign of Terror was a mild and well 
 organized system of government. 
 
 On April 2, President Wilson asked Congress to declare a 
 state of war, owing to the German unrestricted submarine 
 campaign, and on the 4th, the Senate passed a war resolution 
 by a vote of eighty-two to six, followed on the 5th, by the 
 House, by a vote of three-hundred seventy-three to fifty. The 
 next day, April 6, 1917, President Wilson signed the resolution 
 formally declaring war with Germany. Then followed a year 
 and a-half of conflict in which the United States provided 
 thousands of soldiers, and prepared to train an army of 10, 
 000,000 men to take further part, and raised billions of money. 
 General John J. Pershing and the first American troops reached 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 169 
 
 France, the General on June 13, and the troops on June 26. 
 Training camps were established in all parts of the United 
 States, and every preparation was made for taking part in the 
 unparalleled conflict on a scale which only the vast resources of 
 men and means in America could provide. By August 17, 
 1918, the over-seas shipment of men totalled more than one 
 and one-half million, while other millions were preparing to 
 go. The Americans had taken active part by this time in 
 many battles, and continued effectively so to do until the 
 armistice was declared on November 11, 1918.* 
 
 Kaiser Wilhelm III had abdicated and fled to Holland. The 
 war was won by the Allies and associated Powers, between 
 whom and Germany the Peace Treaty was signed at Versailles, 
 on June 28, 1919. The event took place in the Hall of Mirrors, 
 in which the Germans had humbled the French forty-nine 
 years before, following the war of 1870. It was the formal close 
 of the Great War which had lasted five years, within thirty- 
 seven days. The signing of the German treaty has been pro- 
 nounced one of the most impressive events in human history, 
 unique in its character and purposes. "It was not an agree- 
 ment for the bondage of any nation, but one for the freedom 
 of all nations." 
 
 When the declaration of war reached Salt Lake City, the 
 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was in the midst of 
 its eighty-seventh annual conference. Referring in his opening 
 speech, April 6, to the declaration of war just signed, President 
 Joseph F. Smith exhorted the people to maintain the spirit 
 of love. He said: 
 
 "I want to say to the Latter-day Saints who may enlist, 
 and whose services the country may require, that when they 
 become soldiers of the State and of the Nation that they will 
 not forget that they are also soldiers of the Cross, that they are 
 ministers of life, and not of death; and when they go forth, 
 they may go forth in the spirit of defending the liberties of 
 mankind rather than for the purpose of destroying the enemy. 
 If we could convert them to peaceful ways and to the love of 
 peace without destroying them, we would become saviors of 
 
 *Sources of information: 'Literary Digest History of the World War,* 10 volumes: 
 Improvement Era, volumes 17-20. 
 
170 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 men. And it is abominable that men who engage in the great 
 and grand and necessary duty of protecting and guarding our 
 Nation from the encroachments of wicked enemies, cruel and 
 destructive foes, should not maintain among themselves lives 
 of honor, virtue, purity, and of immunity from sin and crime 
 of every kind. It is a disgraceful thought that a man to be- 
 come a soldier should become a rake, and abandon himself to 
 crime and wickedness. Let the soldiers that go out from Utah 
 be and remain men of honor. And when they are called, obey 
 the call, and manfully meet the duty, the dangers, or the labor, 
 that may be required of them, or that they may be set to do, 
 but do it with an eye single to the accomplishment of the good 
 that is aimed to be accomplished, and not with the blood- 
 thirsty desire to kill and to destroy."* 
 
 Later, in the annual conference of the Mutual Improve- 
 ment Associations, in the early part of June, in the large taber- 
 nacle, Salt Lake City, Presidents Anthon H. Lund, Charles 
 W. Penrose, and Joseph F. Smith spoke to the thousands of 
 young men in attendance, giving messages that covered the 
 needs of the stirring day, and containing encouragement, 
 counsel, and advice of vital advantage and import. Very 
 brief selections from their remarks show with what patriotism 
 and earnestness the leaders of the people spoke. 
 
 President Joseph F. Smith: "I want to see the hand of God 
 made manifest in the acts of the men that go out from the ranks 
 of the Church of Jesus Christ and from the State of Utah, to 
 help to defend the principles of liberty and sound government 
 for the human family. I want to see them so live that they can 
 be in communion with the Lord, in their camps, and in their 
 secret places, and that in the midst of battle they can say: 
 'Father, my life and my spirit are in thine hand!' " 
 
 President Anthon H. Lund: "I am glad to see so many here, 
 and as far as our young men are concerned, I know that they 
 will do their duty, that they will not be found lacking, whether 
 it be to go to war or to stay at home, attending to those things 
 that will build up the people here. I believe that in whatever 
 circumstances they may be placed, they will continue faithful. 
 I hope that the foundation of faith laid in their hearts will not 
 
 *"Eighty-seventh Annual Conference Report," pp. 3, 4. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 171 
 
 be shaken, and that they will go as God-fearing young men, not 
 influenced by the evils and temptations that generally attend 
 warring armies, but that they will carry out what they have 
 learned in their youth, and set such an example before others 
 that they will be looked upon as indeed sons of God-fearing 
 parents, and young men that want to do right." 
 
 President Charles W. Penrose: "Now, the chief point, then, 
 that I wish to present to our young men in this congregation, 
 today, is the desire of the Governor and his associates in this 
 state that the number required to be raised in the National 
 Guard of Utah shall be obtained, and the plan shall be effected, 
 and that Utah will be able to stand in the roster of States having 
 the proper number, according to the lists made out for the re- 
 spective state organizations, and will not be behind in any good 
 work. We desire to show, for a fact, that notwithstanding 
 reports that have been circulated, concerning the people of 
 Utah, and particularly the Latter-day Saints the 'Mormon' 
 people that we are loyal to our Government, as we desire to 
 be, first of all, loyal to our God and to the truths which He has 
 revealed. We want to stand shoulder to shoulder with other 
 good citizens of the United States in maintaining the princi- 
 ples of our Government and in defending this Nation, in asso- 
 ciation with other nations that are assailed, in the maintenance 
 of truth and liberty for the benefit of all mankind."* 
 
 The strenuous times that followed gave evidence of the 
 earnestness with which the people adopted the counsel of their 
 leaders and took part in the great struggle. Thousands were 
 called to training camps. Young men in remunerative callings, 
 professional and otherwise, dropped their business and made 
 arrangements for volunteering or being drafted to enter the 
 conflict. There were many farewell scenes at the stations that 
 beggared description, as fathers and mothers, sisters, friends 
 and sweethearts, bade farewell to the departing youths, who 
 hurried to their training camps, bent upon the accomplishment 
 of their part in the great struggle. In all the states of the 
 West, in which there were Latter-day Saints, our boys took 
 their full part with courage and honor, in camp and field, in 
 the stirring scenes of the day. 
 
 *For the speeches in full see Improvement Era, Vol. 20, pp. 821-834. 
 
172 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH; 
 
 During the remaining portion of the first year, (1917) 
 out of the "Mormon" population in the Church, 3,854 entered 
 the army; 616, the navy; 196 joined the marines; 253, the medi- 
 cal corps; 354, other branches of the service; 116, the national 
 guard, which was then not a part of the U. S. Army; 96, the 
 Red Cross, including nurses, making a total, at the close of the 
 year, of 5,476 who had entered the service of their country. 
 
 According to reports gathered from authentic, original 
 sources, by the Presiding Bishop's Office, the year 1918 
 showed the following military statistics of the young men of 
 the Church: There had joined the army 10,648; the navy, 
 1,128; the marines, 451; medical corps, 535; there were in the 
 training schools, 430; in the Student Army Corps, 778; in other 
 branches, 710; in the National Guard, not regular military 
 service, 97; in the Red Cross, including nurses, 120; making a 
 total of 14,897. During the year, there were 383 who died in 
 the service. 
 
 In the early part of January, 1919, there were all told 
 14,975 "Mormons" in the service of their country, and during 
 that year 258 died in service.* 
 
 The War, even as in the Philippine Islands, proved the 
 loyalty of the Latter-day Saints in their devotion to their 
 country's cause and their loyalty to the Nation. Every "drive" 
 for funds, every allotment for bonds, every donation for Red 
 Cross and other purposes were promptly met and in all in- 
 stances over-subscribed by the people. 
 
 7. Changes in the General Authorities. 
 
 Excepting only President Brigham Young, who for thirty- 
 three years was the leader of the Latter-day Saints, Joseph F. 
 Smith stood at the head of the people more years than any 
 other president, and it is safe to say that at no other time was 
 there ever more growth in temporal and spiritual affairs than 
 
 . *The service flags at the Utah State Capitol indicate that 24,382 men all told were in 
 the service from Utah. Federal statistics give Utah credit for a total of 19,421 men, dis- 
 tributed as follows: National Army, 10,788; Regular Army, 5,335; Navy, 2,494; Marines, 
 804. The tentative state figures are likely to be most correct, as numbers of enlistments 
 from neighboring states may be included in the Federal estimate. The state historian, 
 Dr. Andrew Love Neff, has not, at this writing, definite information. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 173 
 
 during his seventeen years of eventful and successful incum- 
 bency. Many were the changes among the authorities of the 
 Church under his administration resulting from death and other 
 causes. Only four, who were members of the Council of Twelve 
 when he became President, were in the Council or First Presi- 
 dency when he died. They are Anthon H. Lund, Heber J. 
 Grant, Rudger Clawson and Reed Smoot. 
 
 Authorities at the Opening of President Smith's Administration. 
 
 The First President and General Authorities were con- 
 stituted as follows, at the organization of the First Presidency, 
 at the special conference, November 10, 1901: 
 
 Joseph F. Smith Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and Presi- 
 dent of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all 
 the world. 
 
 John R. Winder First Counselor in the First Presidency. 
 
 Anthon H. Lund Second Counselor in the First Presi- 
 dency. 
 
 Brigham Young President of the Council of the Twelve 
 Apostles. 
 
 Members of the Council of Twelve Apostles: Brigham 
 Young, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teas- 
 dale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, 
 Matthias F. Cowley, Abraham 0. Woodruff, Rudger Clawson, 
 Reed Smoot, Hyrum M. Smith. 
 
 The counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve 
 Apostles, Prophets, Seers and Revelators. 
 
 John Smith Patriarch of the Church. 
 
 First Seven Presidents of Seventies Seymour B. Young, 
 C. D. Fjeldsted, B. H. Roberts, George Reynolds, Jonathan 
 G. Kimball, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W. McMurrin. 
 
 William B. Preston Presiding Bishop, Robert T. 
 Burton, as first, and Orrin P. Miller, second counselors. 
 
 Anthon H. Lund Church historian and general Church 
 recorder. 
 
 Joseph F, Smith Trustee-in-trust for the body of religious 
 
174 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 worshipers known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
 Saints. 
 
 These died or resigned during the years following: 
 Brigham Young died, April 11, 1903. 
 Francis M. Lyman died, Nov. 18, 1916. 
 John Henry Smith died, Oct. 13, 1911. 
 George Teasdale died, June 9, 1907. 
 John W- Taylor resigned, Oct. 6, 1905. 
 Matthias F. Cowley resigned, Oct. 6, 1905. 
 Marriner W. Merrill died, Feb. 6, 1906. 
 Abraham 0. Woodruff died, June 20, 1904. 
 Hyrum M. Smith died, Jan. 23, 1918. 
 
 New Members Chosen. 
 
 George Albert Smith was sustained as one of the Twelve, 
 October, 1903, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
 Brigham Young. 
 
 Charles W. Penrose was chosen and ordained an apostle July 
 7, 1904, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of A. 0. 
 Woodruff. 
 
 George F. Richards and Orson F. Whitney were chosen and 
 sustained apostles, April, 1906, to fill the vacancy caused 
 by the resignation of John W. Taylor and M. F. Cowley, 
 October, 1905. 
 
 David O. McKay was chosen and sustained as member of the 
 Council of Twelve, April, 1906, to fill the vacancy caused 
 by the death of M. W. Merrill. 
 
 Anthony W. I vins was chosen and sustained one of the Twelve , 
 October, 1907, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
 George Teasdale. 
 
 Joseph F. Smith, Jr., was ordained an apostle April 7, 1910, to 
 fill the vacancy caused by the selection of John Henry 
 Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency, April 
 7, 1910, owing to the death of John R. Winder, March 
 27, 1910, the First Counselor. Anthon H. Lund was 
 promoted to First Counselor in the First Presidency, 
 having previously served as Second Counselor, April 7, 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 175 
 
 1910, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John R. 
 
 Winder, March 27, 1910. 
 John Henry Smith was chosen Second Counselor in the First 
 
 Presidency April, 1910. 
 Charles W. Penrose was selected as Second Counselor in the 
 
 First Presidency to fill the vacancy caused by the death 
 
 of John Henry Smith, Oct. 13, 1911. 
 James E. Talmage was ordained an apostle December 8, 1911, 
 
 to fill the vacancy caused by the selection of Charles W. 
 
 Penrose as Second Counselor in the First Presidency. 
 Stephen L. Richards was chosen and ordained an apostle 
 
 Jan. 18, 1917, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
 
 Francis M. Lyman, Nov. 18, 1916. 
 Richard R. Lyman was ordained an apostle April 7, 1918, to 
 
 fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hyrum M. Smith, 
 
 Jan. 23, 1918. 
 Melvin J. Ballard was ordained and set apart a member of 
 
 the Council of Twelve, Jan. 7, 1919, to fill the vacancy 
 
 caused by the selection and ordination of Heber J. Grant 
 
 as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
 
 Saints, Nov. 23, 1918. He was the first apostle chosen by 
 
 President Grant. 
 
 General Authorities at the Opening of President Grant's 
 Administration. 
 
 At the June conference, 1919, the April conference having 
 been postponed owing to an epidemic of sickness known as the 
 Influenza, the General Authorities of the Church were sustained 
 as follows: 
 
 Heber J. Grant, Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and Presi- 
 dent of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 
 
 Anthon H. Lund, First Counselor in the First Presidency. 
 
 Charles W. Penrose, Second Counselor in the First Presi- 
 dency. 
 
 Anthon H. Lund, President of the Council of ' Twelve 
 Apostles. 
 
 Rudger Clawson, acting President of the Twelve Apostles. 
 
176 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Members of the Council of Twelve Apostles: 
 
 Rudger Clawson Anthony W. Ivins 
 
 Reed Smoot Joseph Fielding Smith 
 
 George Albert Smith James E. Talmage 
 
 George F. Richards Stephen L. Richards 
 
 Orson F. Whitney Richard R. Lyman 
 
 David O. McKay Melvin J. Ballard 
 
 Hyrum G. Smith, Presiding Patriarch of the Church. 
 
 The Counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve 
 Apostles and Patriarch, Prophets, Seers and Revelators. 
 
 First Seven Presidents of Seventy: Seymour B. Young, 
 Brigham H. Roberts, Jonathan G. Kimball, Rulon S. Wells, 
 Joseph W. McMurrin, Charles H. Hart and Levi Edgar Young. 
 
 Charles W. Nibley, Presiding Bishop, with David A. Smith 
 and John Wells as his First and Second Counselors. 
 
 Heber J. Grant, as Trustee-in-Trust for the Church of 
 Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 
 
 8. The Passing of President Smith. 
 
 President Joseph F. Smith peacefully closed his active 
 life upon earth, on Tuesday morning, 4:50 o'clock, November 
 19, 1918, at his home, the Beehive House, Salt Lake City, 
 Utah. He had served the people of his Church and state all 
 his life, in almost every useful private and public capacity. 
 By dint of honest effort and persistent labor, borne fully, 
 bravely and cheerfully, he mounted the ladder of experience 
 round by round as herd boy, pioneer, teacher, soldier, mission- 
 ary, legislator, counselor, and finally stood as the prophet and 
 mouthpiece of the Lord for the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- 
 ter-day Saints, a preacher of righteousness, occupying the most 
 exalted position in the gift of the Lord to his people upon this 
 earth. Judge Charles C. Goodwin, for years the editor of the 
 Salt Lake Tribune, when it was very bitter against the Latter- 
 day Saints and their leader, says, in speaking of him, in Good- 
 win's Weekly, April 8, 1916: 
 
 "A more kindly and benevolent man has seldom held an 
 exalted ecclesiastical position in these latter days than President 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 177 
 
 Joseph F. Smith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
 Saints. Passing down the seventy-seventh year of the highway 
 of life, and living with broad tolerance of the affairs of men, he 
 stands a commanding influence in his state. To his people he 
 is the great spiritual leader. To men at large he is a man of 
 wide sympathies, great business acumen, and a born leader 
 of the great institution of which he is the head. 
 
 "One, who has known him for two generations, says of 
 him: 'Once stern and unrelenting, he has mellowed as the years 
 go on, until he sees but the good in humanity and forgives men 
 their trespasses.' 
 
 "His early life was of great hardship, surviving as he did 
 many adventures and many soul-rending experiences that 
 
 try the hearts of men. 
 
 * * * * # * 
 
 "Upon the death of President Snow, he succeeded to the 
 First Presidency. Under his direction the Church has grown 
 in power until it is accounted one of the most perfectly organ- 
 ized bodies in existence. As trustee of the vast properties of 
 the Church he has become one of its greatest financial leaders. 
 
 "His life all these years has been lived with great simplic- 
 ity, constant labor, and great personal frugality. 
 
 "He stands today a patriarch ruling with a gentle hand 
 over a people blessed with such prosperity as few religious 
 bodies have ever known."* 
 
 In 1906, he visited the missions of Europe, the first Presi- 
 dent of the Church who did so while occupying that position. 
 He spoke in a number of nations and bore his testimony to the 
 divinity of the great organization which he represented. He 
 visited Canada and the Hawaiian Islands, and was frequently, 
 almost constantly, in the midst of his people, in the stakes of 
 Zion. Wherever he went, there assembled unusually large 
 gatherings of Saints and strangers to hear him. His instructions, 
 counsel, doctrinal declarations, and advice on practical topics 
 relating to the daily life and welfare of the people, were lis- 
 tened to with the utmost attention, and largely adopted, to the 
 benefit, blessing and joy of those who heard. His printed ser- 
 mons would fill many volumes. A compilation of selections 
 
 *See Improvement Era, June, 1916, Vol. 19, p. 669. 
 
178 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 from his sermons and writings was prepared just before his 
 death. These were later printed by the Committee on Study for 
 the Priesthood Quorums, in a 700 page volume, entitled, 
 "Gospel Doctrine," June 2, 1919; and up to the close of 1920, 
 three large editions had been sold, indicating the popularity of 
 the author. The book contains practically every essential 
 teaching of the Latter-day Saints concerning the present life 
 and the life hereafter, treated in wisdom and moderation, and 
 is sound in precept and tenet. President Smith was all worthy 
 of the title, "Preacher of Righteousness." Next to Joseph 
 the Prophet and Brigham Young the Pioneer, he was a builder 
 of temples and houses of worship, and the number of ward and 
 stake houses built in his time, exceed those of any other like 
 period. As a man of business, it can well be said, he was suc- 
 cessful in a high degree: conservative, but progressive; thrifty, 
 without being frugal to excess, and never before in the history 
 of the Church was business enterprise more successful, either 
 with the Church itself or with the people, than during his in- 
 cumbency. Much of the progress of public and Church affairs 
 was stimulated by his forethought and consideration, by his 
 inspiration from the Lord freely disseminated among the people, 
 and his ability to gather able men about him who cooperated 
 with him for the advancement of the Church, the state, and 
 the community. He showed great tenderness for his large and 
 honorable family. When the boys and girls gathered around 
 him, at the last moments, he expressed his great satisfaction 
 in these words, referring to his wives and children: "I have 
 reached the treasure of my life, the whole substance that makes 
 life worth living." His passing marked an epoch in the history 
 of the Church, for he was the last of the old school of veteran 
 leaders who pioneered and founded our inter-mountain com- 
 monwealths. 
 
 His body rests in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Hundreds 
 of thousands mourn his passing, and revere his memory. Ow- 
 ing to an epidemic of sickness, public funeral services could 
 not be held, but large numbers attended the exercises at the 
 cemetery. Thousands thronged the streets. Out of respect 
 to the President and his family, the majority of business houses 
 closed, for the noon hour, during the exercises at the cemetery. 
 By order of Bishop Joseph S. Glass, the great bell in the 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 'CHURCH. 179 
 
 Catholic Cathedral tolled a solemn requiem, as the throngs 
 gathered. 
 
 At the June, 1919, General Conference, all the authori- 
 ties eulogized the name, labors, and achievements, of this 
 faithful servant of the Lord, and powerful Preacher of 
 Righteousness. 
 
 9. Heber Jeddy Grant Chosen President. 
 
 President Grant was born on the 22nd day of November, 
 1856, in the Thirteenth ward, on the lot where the Z. C. M. I. 
 is now located, in Salt Lake City, Utah. His father, Jedediah 
 Morgan Grant, in his day was one of the most enthusiastic 
 and most zealous workers in the Church; and his mother, 
 Rachel Ridgeway Ivins, was one of the bright and noble hero- 
 ines of Zion. 
 
 President Grant is the only son of his mother, but has a 
 number of brothers and sisters who bear his father's name. He 
 is the thirty-third apostle chosen in the Church, its seventh 
 president, and the first man born in Utah who was chosen a 
 member of the Twelve; also the first native son who has oc- 
 cupied the position of President of the Church. It is a strange 
 coincidence that President Francis M. Lyman, whom he suc- 
 ceeded as President of the Twelve, and President Joseph F. 
 Smith, whom he succeeded as President of the Church, were 
 both buried on his birthday anniversary, the former in 1916, 
 and the latter in 1918. He was chosen to succeed the former on 
 November 23, 1916, and the latter, November 23, 1918, the 
 day following his natal day, his sixtieth and sixty-second an- 
 niversaries respectively. 
 
 President Grant's first act was the choice pf his counselors 
 the wise, the true, the tried and experienced leaders, Presi- 
 dents Anthon H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose, men of un- 
 bounded integrity and stability of character, so well known that 
 their names needed only to be mentioned to receive immediate 
 and unanimous approbation. 
 
 He is pre-eminently a business man, but there is not a 
 man in all the Church who has more regard for its spiritual 
 welfare than Heber J. Grant. His admiration for and obedience 
 to his brethren who have occupied the position he now holds 
 
180 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 have dominated his whole career. He believes implicitly in 
 the inspiration of the Lord which has. guided them in all their 
 affairs. He is liberal to a fault, helpful, sympathetic, with 
 heart and ears attuned to every righteous need and cause. As 
 a business man, he not only promptly fulfills his promises and 
 keeps his appointments, but aims to give value received for all 
 he obtains ; and as an employer treats all who work for him with 
 liberality, respect and consideration. 
 
 His successful services on financial missions for the Church 
 are well known. His energy, determination, and his belief in 
 work as a winning virtue, are inspirations to all who come to 
 know him. These characteristics are prominent in all the mis- 
 sions he has filled secular and religious. Among the latter is 
 one to Japan, and one to Great Britain and Europe, in both of 
 which he presided over the missions. When he sets out to win, 
 he is determined to obtain the goal, taking genuine pleasure in 
 laboring to accomplish results. 
 
 It is so in all his efforts. When he once sets out to do a 
 work, there is no relaxation until it is finished. He has im- 
 plicit faith in the divinity of the Church of Jesus Christ of 
 Latter-day Saints, a faith founded more on the inspiration 
 of Ihe Holy Ghost, answer to prayer, and the goodness of God 
 to him, to the Church, its leaders and members, than from any 
 extended doctrinal study, or technical knowledge of its theology 
 or philosophy. 
 
 President Grant's life is full of testimonies that God lives 
 and answers prayer, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, 
 and that the Church which he was instrumental in founding is 
 divinely established by revelation from God the Father and 
 his Son Jesus Christ. 
 
 At the General Conference of the Church, Sunday, 10 a.m., 
 June 1, 1919, a solemn assembly of the Priesthood and members 
 of the Church was held, and the action of the Council of Twelve 
 in choosing and ordaining President Grant was unanimously 
 confirmed, and all the other authorities were likewise sustained 
 as named in chapter 7. 
 
 The scene from the stand, as the many thousands of men 
 stood up, quorum by quorum, to vote, their right hands raised 
 to the square, was the most impressive, stately, and dignified 
 religious solemnity that the eyes of man ever beheld, not to 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 181 
 
 speak of the scene, when the whole audience, ten thousand in 
 number, covenanted unanimously in like manner to sustain 
 their chosen leaders. 
 
 As the burdens and responsibilities of his new and ex- 
 alted position multiply upon him, President Grant will grow 
 in ability and strength to bear them. All faithful Latter-day 
 Saints have so far joined, and so will continue to join, in 
 prayer and deeds to make his administration strong, progressive, 
 and pleasing and acceptable in the sight of our heavenly Father. 
 
 10. Conclusion. 
 
 Viewing, as in the foregoing, the panorama of the event- 
 ful past, the prosperity of the present appears marvelous in 
 our eyes the future lustrous with bright promise. 
 
 The Latter-day Saints are a happy, prosperous, God- 
 fearing, virtuous people, s'teadily increasing in numbers and 
 good works. Thrift, cleanliness, good order, peace, and so- 
 briety are among their characteristics. While they are not 
 wealthy, they generally own their homes, lands and herds. 
 God has blessed the land because of them; and for their sakes 
 the earth has yielded an abundance. 
 
 Believers in education, they are foremost in giving their 
 offspring the advantages of a true training. Their children are 
 steady attendants at the public schools which are found in 
 every city, village and hamlet where they abide. Besides the 
 institutions of learning founded by President Young, President 
 Woodruff, realizing that true education is based upon a correct 
 theology, counseled the organization of a Church school system 
 which has grown until the colleges, academies and seminaries 
 now number 22. These are found, one in Canada, one in Wyo- 
 ming, four in Idaho, one in Colorado, three in Arizona, one in 
 Mexico, one in Hawaii, and ten in Utah. The annual cost of 
 maintenance is approximately $750,000; and in 1920 there were 
 8,392 students enrolled mostly of College grade, because the 
 Church schools are all of secondary or College grade, except 
 those in Mexico, Canada and in the Islands. 
 
 Hundreds of young missionaries go forth yearly to all 
 parts of the earth, and return having their minds stored with 
 fresh thoughts, new conceptions, advanced opinions, which are 
 
182 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 assimilated by the Saints, adding new vigor and life to the 
 community. A host of children are being trained in the Sabbath 
 schools, while nearly one hundred thousand young men and 
 young ladies, are studying the principles of religion, social 
 duties, history and literature, in the Mutual Improvement 
 Associations. The quorums of the Priesthood are training 
 their members for the duties of the ministry, and the practical 
 labors of life; while the Relief Societies, Primary associations 
 and Religion classes are adding worthy efforts towards the 
 general progress and well-being of the community. 
 
 The people of our own country, and of the earth are be- 
 coming more favorable to the Saints as their virtues and de- 
 signs are better understood. 
 
 What of the future? What of the destiny of this vigorous, 
 progressive people? 
 
 Their faith is designed for the happiness, well-being, and 
 salvation, temporal and spiritual, of all the creatures of God. 
 It is exemplified by them in noble and practical work. Their 
 religion has inherent elements of strength, rooted in the re- 
 vealed truths of Deity, that insure its perpetuity. "Mormon- 
 ism" is not the work of men, but is the work of God. Its doc- 
 trines have been established for a wise purpose in him, to pre- 
 pare mankind for Christ's second coming and reign on earth. 
 In short, so-called "Mormonism," broad in scope, tolerant, 
 truth-seeking, is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and as such is 
 destined to be the religion of the future. Its truths, built 
 upon direct revelation from God, are constantly gaining 
 ground, and correspond perfectly to the needs of the age. 
 
 The one-hundredth anniversary of the prophet's first 
 vision has been appropriately celebrated by the Church. The 
 centennial of its organization is looming only a decade in the 
 future. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 
 entered upon the third ten-years of the 20th century, full of 
 bounteous promise and with resplendent prospects in view. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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